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 Comments are closed.
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