PNG Hunters announce team to face East Tigers

PNG Hunters announce team to face East Tigers. Photo credit.
PNG Hunters

THE SP PNG Hunters will be pushing hard for their third straight win when they head to Brisbane for the round three Intrust Super Cup match against East Tigers on Saturday.
Coach Michael Marum knows he has to give his team the best preparation possible as the Tigers, the 2014 grand finalists, will be their toughest opponent to date.
Victories over Souths Logan Magpies, 40-18 in the season opener away, and then last week’s hard-fought 30-26 result against Redcliffe Dolphins on Sunday at home in Kokopo, has given the Hunters the perfect start to the season.
The SP Hunters lead the 14-team competition on 4 points together with Norths Devils 4 and Wynnum Manly Seagulls 4, but the PNG side in pole position because of superior percentage – points for and against.
But it’s early days and they could find themselves reshuffled to the middle of the premiership table if they drop this game and measures are being taken to ensure the Hunters enjoy the top spot for as long as possible.
Away matches can be quite taxing as experienced in the Hunters debut season last year but having the benefit of one year under their belt should give them a better idea on how to prepare to give themselves the best possible chance to get the desired results.
The team travels to Brisbane on Friday for Saturday’s game at the Langlands Park.
East Tigers sit in sixth position with two points but are a quality side that was a nemesis to the Hunters last year, beating them at Kalabond following a draw when they met in Langlands Park in an earlier game in Round 5.
Marum has made some changes the notable being the reshuffle of man-of-the-match last week, Kato Ottio who started at centre to the back row.
That change allows the return of boom centre Thompson to the starting side on the left while three-try hero Adex Wera will slot in at right centre.
Another change is Henry Wan at prop while Noel Zeming could make a return from injury as he has been named in the 19-member traveling party.
The full team is:
1. Stargroth Amean,
2. Bland Abavu,
3. Thompson Teteh,
 4. Adex Wera,
5. Edward Goma,
6. Israel Eliab ©,
7. Roger Laka,
8. Henry Wan,
9. Wartovo Puara,
10. Esau Siune,
11. Kato Ottio,
12. Brandy Peter,
13. Adam Korave.

Interchange: 14. Ase Boas, 15. Ate Bina, 16. Willie Minoga, 17. Warren Clare, 18. Noel Zeming, 19. Jayjay Garrison (two to be omitted).
Coach: Michael Marum