PNG Hunters set for Townsville Blackhawks

The Papua New Guinea SP Hunters are set for this afternoon's round six Intrust Super Cup clash against the competition leaders Townsville Blackhawks at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. A huge crowd of around 15000 is expected for this match to see the return of "Freight Train" Willie Minoga in Blackhawks colours.

The Townsville Blackhawks are a ‘prized catch’ have already set the bar with not only five wins, but big wins as well. Minus regulars in Ase Boas, Thompson Teteh, Ate Bine and Bland Abavu for varying reasons, Marum welcomes back the ‘Koiari enforcer’ Adam Korave to add beef to their stocks. Korave returns after being cited for a dangerous tackle in their first home game against the Tweed Head Seagulls. The two-week suspension has put Korave in the right frame of mind to perform…something Marum exploits very well. 

Whilst it doesn’t take much for the workaholic lock to be on top of his game, the competitive edge for positions is always on the back of his mind. And with Korave having only played one game so far this season, he will be keen to come off the bench with fire in his belly to cement his spot. The naming of last weekends man of the match Enock Maki, fast improving Philemon Kimisive and mister versatile Edward Goma also on the bench within the 17, Marum has left nothing to chance with the power game on the card. 

“The Blackhawks are a class outfit and as long as we concentrate on what we are trained to do and ensure our preparation is good, we will be competitive,” Marum said after training yesterday. Form winger Justin Olam returns to the wing after attending his graduation from the University of Technology, while Nickson Borana having suffered an ankle injury, has opened the door for Ishamel Balkawa. The unlikely halves pairing of Watson Boas and Wartovo Puara Jr continues, while winger William Aquila has won admirers for his opening start. 

Blackhawks

: 1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Hezron Murgha 3. Moses Pangai 4. Delouise Hoeter 5. Samsen O’Neill 6. Kyle Laybutt 7. Michael Parker-Walshe 8. Glenn Hall (c) 9. Anthony Mitchell (c) 10. Corey Jensen 11. Lona Kaifoto 12. Rhyse Martin 13. Lorenzo Maafu 14. Nathan Norford 15. Kieran Quabba 16. Willie Minoga 17. David Munro Coach: Kristian Woolf

Hunters Team : 1 Adex Wera,  2 Justin Olam, 3 Noel  Zeming (C), 4 Adex Wera,  5 William Aquila,  6 Watson Boas,  7 Wartovo Puara Jr,  8 Henry Wan,  9 Warren Glare ,  10 Esau Siune,  11 Nickson Borana,  12 Tupi Lepan,  13 Brandy Peter,  Reserves  14 Adam Korave,  15 Timothy Lomai , 

16 Enock Maki,  17 Edward Goma,  18 Gahuna Sailas (one to be omitted).

Coach: Michael Marum

PNG Hunters v Townsville Blackhawks 

National Football Stadium on Saturday, April 10 – 3pm

Referee: Michael Gordon

Head-to-Head: PNG 2 Townsville 1

Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvTSVB

Live Telecast: TVWAN Sports HD  / NBC News network