Adex Wera

The match will be underway here at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.

Bland Abavu will now shift to the wing in place of Junior Rau who is sick.

The SP Hunters will also be without the services of the injured Junior Rop.

Dilbert Isaac takes his position at lock.

Hunters coach, Michael Marum said the final 18 will be confirmed at the Captain’s Run this Saturday. 

The announcement was made on Friday evening during the launching of the 2019 season at the National Football Stadium.

The 28-year-old from Simbu is Hunter number 6.

Wera started off as full back when the SP Hunters club started in 2014. He also plays centre, or wing, and has scored 8 tries in the 2018 Intrust Super Cup season.

Wera said he was surprised when told that he would captain the 31-man side.

Wera was suspended after being cited for ‘biting’ an opponent during last Friday’s match against the Ipswich Jets.

Wera will miss this week’s Test and the Hunters’ next match.

His suspension is another blow to the Kumuls following the withdrawal of Nene Macdonald by the St George Illawarra Dragons’ medical team for a shoulder injury.

Coach Michael Marum has shifted his backline, naming Justin Olam at fullback.

Junior Rau will debut as Kumul No. 285 on the wing and Rhadley Brawa becomes Kumul No. 286 when he runs off the bench.

The team is:

But Marum also says there are several other players as well that can play at fullback.

“There are a few players we have there. But Adex Wera is the number one option for fullback. We’ll have a look at that.

“We have some young boys who can play there but it’s a matter of putting them in there at the right time.”

Amean says there are several contenders for the job, but added it all depends on who wants it more.

“We have Adex Wera there who is one of the senior players. I think with his experience, he’d be the best person to lead the boys.

Wera was placed on report for a dangerous throw during last weekend's round eight match against Burleigh Bears.

The judiciary advised Wera through a teleconference late on Thursday afternoon that he has been repeating this offence for the past three seasons and needed to correct his tackling technique.

Wera entered an early guilty plea and was suspended for one match.

Coach Michael Marum said he will name a replacement for Wera from his extended 20 man squad.

The Hunters will take on Northern Pride this afternoon at 3pm at the National Football Stadium.

The Hunters were under the pump right from the kick off; forced to defend in their own half in the opening minutes.

But solid defence denied the Seagulls early points.

After weathering the storm, the Hunters went on the counter attack and found the try line in the 12th minute through Justin Olam.

Ase Boas converted the try to take a 6-0 lead.

But the Seagulls continued to ask questions, threatening to score dominating possession.

The home side finally broke through the Hunters’ defence in the 31st minute when Sam Saville scored.

Adex Wera will play his 50^th game for the Hunters against the Norths Devils this Saturday at the National Football Stadium.

Wartovo Puara was the first player for the Hunters to play 50 games.

Wera first started his career in rugby league playing for the Yondu Warriors. He then went on to make the Goroka Lahanis squad.

His versatility playing at fullback, winger and centre earned him a spot in the Hunters.