PNG Hunters set for Intrust Super Cup Round 3 clash against Tweed Head Seagulls tonight

PNG Hunters set for round 3 Intrust Super Cup match against Tweed Head Seagulls tonight  

Photo: National Football Stadium , Port Moresby./F, Torau

The SP Papua New Guinea Hunters are set for tonight's clash against the visiting Tweed Head Seagulls at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

The Hunters are near full strenght after regulars Adam Korave and Adex Wera were recalled for this match after one match ban by the QLD Rugby League judiciary. More then 15 000 rugby league lovers are expected to fill the stadium to see the two teams in action. The Tweed Head Seagulls have never beaten the Hunters and will be playing hard to break the hoodoo and register a win. They will be using five of the NRL contracted players to lead upfront. 

With a good number of teams in the Intrust Super Cup aligned to several National Rugby League (NRL) clubs, it is considered a must that their target players run on against the Hunters to ‘toughen them up’.

"Last week Wynnum Manly had their Broncos quota and now Tweed Head Seagulls will have several Gold Coast Titans.

"I guess it’s all good for us knowing that’s how these NRL clubs think of us," he added.

Marum said they beat the Seagulls 38-4 in round four and 32-24 in round 15 last year.

"They (Seagulls) have a bone to pick with us and that’s how we like it," he added.

He said so far it has been a good start and positively the new faces have stood up and several new ones from last year have graduated well including Nickson Borana and Warren Glare to secure starting slots in the second-row. "Good signs but the real test will come mid-way through the season where their mental strength will be stretched when they have to back up week in week out.

"All players know they are fighting for their spots week in week out, so whilst its good news some of our experienced hands are returning, they have to work their way back in," he said.

"We also have several exciting unused ones yet including Silas Gahuna, William Aquila and Simon Peter, but in saying that it is a long season ahead and we need all the back-up we can get," he added. Marum said they will make the decision to finalise the 17 on game day, as they have issues with playmaker Ase Boas and centre Noel Zeming pushing to prove their fitness.

"We won’t take the gamble if they are not full fit at this stage.

"Atte (Bina) will back up for Ase and Justin (Olam) will moves off the wing to centre to make way for Adex (Wera), if both don’t pull up," he added.

He further highlighted that experienced props Enoch Maki and Timothy Lomai also return to camp next week to bolster their firepower.

Meanwhile, the Hunters have recalled Timothy Lomai after he was suspended for disciplinary reasons. The Hunters have also recruited PNG Pukpuks Rugby 7s star Butler Morris. 

PNG Hunters vs Tweed Head Seagulls

Venue: National Football Stadium - Port Moresby

Date/Time: 19.03.16  : 6:00pm local time

Twitter: #PNGHunters

Live Telecast : TVWAN and NBC TV

The Hunters Team

1. Stargroth Amean 

2. Bland Abavu

3. Noel Zemming 

4. Thompson Teteh 

5. Justin Olam 

6. Ase Boas 

7. Watson Boas

8. Henry Noki 

9. Wartovo Puara

10. Esau Siune 

11. Nickson Borana 

12. Warren Glare 

13. Ishmael Balkawa 

Interchange 

14. Atte Bina

15. Adex Wera 

16. Adam Korave

17. Edward Goma 

18. Brandy Peter 

19. Tuvi Lepan