SP PNG Hunters name squad for round 8 clash with Sunshine Coast Falcons

THE SP Papua New Guinea Hunters have maintained their usual practice of naming an extended squad of 20 to be reduced by two by travel time.

This is despite some slight adjustments in practice with the team to remain in Australia instead of returning home after this weekend’s Round Eight Intrust Super game against Sunshine Coast Falcons this Sunday.

The next two back-to-back away games are closer in between times and the SP PNG Hunters management decided it is a more sensible option to keep the team in Australia for both games.

There are four days in between games and it has been decided that setting up camp temporarily in Australia would be a much better option to ease the strain of jet-lag and interruptions forced by travelling.

Currently in sixth position on 9 points following last week’s 36-26 victory Tweed Heads Seagulls, the Hunters’ next two games are crucial to catapult them back into the top bracket of the points table.

This Sunday they travel to play the Sunshine Coast Falcons at Stockland Park at 2pm, a game that the Hunters are taking very seriously. The game is the Channel 9 televised game of the week and will be shown live in PNG on Imparja, EMTV, Hitron and Channel 8.

The Hunters follow that up with a Friday Anzac day game against the Burleigh Bears on April 25th at 3.30pm.

Following those games is a bye, which is an automatic two points, so effectively the Hunters are guaranteed two points already.

As usual the Hunters will take away 18 players with one to be omitted before kick-off.

Should there be a need for additional replacements after the Sunshine Coast match, measures would be taken to address that ahead of the Burleigh match on Anzac Day.

The squad (two to be omitted) is:

 1. Adex Wera
 2. Garry Lo
 3. Thompson Teteh
 4. Albert Patak
 5. George Benson
 6. Israel Eliab ©
 7. Roger Laka
 8. Timothy Lomai
 9. Wartovo Puara
 10. Gonzela Urakusie
 11. David Loko
 12. Sebastian Pandia
 13. Dion Aiye
 14. Noel Zeming
 15. Willie Minoga
 16. Lawrence Tu'u
 17. Brandy Peter
 18. Adam Korave
 19. Edward Goma
 20. Esau Siune

Coach: Michael Marum