THE Papua New Guinea Hunters staying ability in the Queensland Cup comes under the microscope in their Round 5 clash with the East Tigers on Sunday.
With the need to maintain pace with the front-runners, the third-placed Hunters will have to show cause against a Tigers outfit on their heels in fifth place. With the Hunters exposed in the mid-field due to their lack of discipline in last weekend’s loss to the Northern Pride, coach Michael Marum would be looking for a big improvement especially with teams certain to expose that weakness in their defensive alignment. The naming of extra forwards in an extended 20 man squad (with two to be omitted), could see a utility player being dropped to cater for the extra size to come off the bench to handle the most likely ploy by Tigers coach Craig Ingebrigtsen. Easily their biggest line-up to date, with the return of Timothy Lomai and Gonzella Urakusie to the starting 13 and the possibility of an inter-change bench with Willie Minoga, Esau Siune and utility Dion Aiye in the mix, certainly adds size and power that was lacking on the fringes of the ruck. The naming of extra forwards in an extended 20 man squad (with two to be omitted), could see a utility player being dropped to cater for the extra size to come off the bench to handle the most likely ploy by Tigers coach Craig Ingebrigtsen. While Marum, pictured, would not disclose their tactics, the naming of Roger Laka adds that extra spark in the offensive plays off the bench. The SP-sponsoredfranchise started off well with three wins and a loss, but that has come with a price. Workaholic back-rower Adam Korave was the first casualty to be stood down for his second week and Tiger Emery from the weekend. Korave’s work-rate in defence was certainly missed. Marum added that there are several players carrying minor injuries but nothing serious. “I guess the main message is to be positive and we have tried to instill that in the players this week to get over loss hangover and get on with the business,” Marum said. “That’s football and I’m confident our coaching staff are on top of everything to make sure the players are in the right frame of mind for Sunday’s match.” The Tigers line-up includes former Kumul prospect Tom Butterfield, who has been named at hooker. Butterfield debuted for the PNG Prime Minister’s XIII in 2007 and played against Australia’s PM’s XIII in 2009. Their key players are experienced five-eighth Cody Walker, prop Steven Thorpe and back-rower Tim Glasby. The Hunters did not confirm the two players cut from the 20 players named this week. The Hunters fly out today. The National TOMORROW at the Roma St Parklands in Brisbane will come alive with real Papua New Guinean hospitality.
The Leniata Legacy will be hosting their first fundraising BBQ supported by Papua New Guinea SP Hunters. This fundraising will go toward supporting the Leniata Legacy’s initiatives, especially the Haus Krai initiative scheduled for May 18 through Brisbane’s CDB. Kepari Leniata Legacy president Philma Kelegai welcomed the PNG Hunters as partners in the fund raising activities in Brisbane. Kelegai said the Hunters have volunteered their time to participate and help with the event. The Hunters are currently third on the Queensland Cup ladder and are the biggest thing out of PNG right now, with the whole nation backing them. “This collaboration is a positive step as it serves to inspire the younger generation to be more socially conscious and to also volunteer. “We are celebrating Papua New Guinea, our team, our people. The fundraising BBQ will kick off proceedings from 9am-2pm. The National PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka today said that the Digicel Cup competition is an integral part of the game in the country and a cordial relationship was necessary between the clubs and the national league.
Tsaka made these comments when acknowledging the Kemele Construction Hela Wigmen for developing 19-year-old Stanton Albert and releasing the young talent to the SP PNG Hunters 25 man squad for 2014. "The SP PNG Hunters would like to congratulate the Hela Wigmen on their junior development program and the production line of young talent they are blooding through their ranks,” Tsaka said. “It’s important that Digicel Cup clubs concentrate on developing their own juniors and this is a perfect example of that. Stanton is a good young man, has great potential and comes from a good family. The ethos of the Hunters is very similar to that of the Wigmen and Stanton will now get his chance to further develop as a player through his elevation to the Hunters top 25 member squad. If Stanton does not make the 18-man SP PNG Hunters playing roster each week he will be available to play with the Hela Wigmen each weekend in the Digicel Cup competition during the 2014 season." "I would like to thank on behalf of the PNGRFL Board, the Hela Wigmen and the other Digicel Cup clubs for working with us to give our own PNG born and bred players an opportunity to play at the highest level and provide them with a pathway to showcase their talent internationally.” “It is vital for the international program and to improve our international performances in the years to come. We will continue to work closely with the Digicel Cup board and franchises to continue to provide that pathway and opportunity.” Kemele Construction Hela Wigmen Rugby League chairman Andy Hetra said the franchise was pleased to release a product of its junior development program to the SP PNG Hunters. “Stanton Albert has shown a good level of development and maturity in all facets of development as a player. Stanton has great potential and we are pleased that the SP PNG Hunters have identified this. Stanton will be a valuable asset to the Hunters. Stanton is still raw but has the potential to go all the way and I'm sure the Hunters will fully realize his potential.” Hetra said the Wigmen have a good development program which identifies young talent and keeps them in camp throughout the season. He said these players know what is takes to be disciplined and the Wigmen’s non-alcohol, drug free and non-violence club culture helps instill those values. “A couple of our development squad players from last year have now been promoted into the playing squad and other new boys have been drafted in,” he said. “The Hela Wigmen have other young players of Stanton's calibre and will continue to work with the Hunters and the PNGRFL in developing and exposing these talents to be professional rugby league players.” |
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