PNG Hunters team announced to face Sunshine Coast Falcons

 ADEX Wera returns to fullback for the Papua New Guinea Hunters this weekend for the first time since 2014, when they play the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Round 4 fixture on Sunday.

With Stargroth Amean nursing a bruised jaw from a knock two weeks ago against Wynnum Manly, which he aggravated against Tweed Heads last Saturday, coach Michael Marum has slotted in the dynamic Wera, who relinquished the No 1 jersey at the start of last season, to the custodial role.

Amean has been named on an extended bench and is a chance of playing depending on how he fares during the week.

The other big losses for the Hunters heading into the match at Sunshine Coast Stadium sees five-eighth and chief playmaker Ase Boas being replaced by utility Atte Bina.

Boas limped off midway through the first half of the Round 3 clash with Tweed Heads at the NFS clutching his left hamstring and could be out for up to three weeks.

Bina, who has become somewhat of a Mr Fix-It for Marum after three rounds, will partner Watson Boas in the halves.

The other loss the Hunters will have to contend with is that of back-rower and co-captain Adam Korave, who was cited for dangerous contact on Tweed’s Shaun Carney.

Hunters chief executive officer Bob Cutmore said although the Queensland Rugby League had yet to grade the offence, with Korave’s carry-over points from his last charge, the Koiari man was expected to “do some time”.

Korave was inspirational in his return match last round and along with prop Henry Wan, was one of the Hunters’ chief metre-gainers.

In other changes to the squad, lock Ishmael Balkawa has been rested with Brandy Peter coming into the 13, while prop Enock Maki returns on the bench for his first match since injuring a knee in the middle of last season.

Debutant Gahuna Sailas is the 18th man but will likely get a chance to play given Amean’s condition.

The Falcons, who feature several Melbourne Storm U20s and extended squad members, are primed for a big game against the Hunters after their 36-14 away win over the Burleigh Bears last weekend.

The Hunters and Falcons clash will play for the Pacific Allies Cup, with the Falcons being the current holders after beating the Hunters 36-10 in Round 5 on the Sunshine Coast last year. 

Hunters Team : 1 Adex Wera, 

2 Bland Abavu, 

3 Noel  Zeming (C),

 4 Thompson Teteh, 

5 Justin Olam, 

6 Atte Bina,

 7 Watson Boas, 

8 Henry Wan, 

9 Wartovo Puara Jr, 

10 Esau Siune, 

11 Nickson Borana, 

12 Warren Glare, 

13 Brandy Peter, 

Reserves 

14 Stargroth Amean, 

15 Tuvi Lepan, 

16 Enock Maki, 

17 Edward Goma, 

18 Gahuna Sailas (one to be omitted).

Coach: Michael Marum

The National / PNG Today