sp hunters

Rau was named in the starting line-up at centre in place of the injured Willie Minoga.

SP Hunters coach, Michael Marum has also moved Adex Wera to fullback with Butler Morris to play at centre. Patrick Morea and Junior Bobby have been named on the extended bench.

The 20 man squad (two to be omitted):

1. Adex WERA

2. Edene GABBIE

3. Junior RAU

4. Butler MORRIS

5. Brendon GOTUNO

6. Ase BOAS - Captain

7. Charlie SIMON

8. Moses MENINGA

9. Wartovo PUARA Jnr

10. Adam KORAVE

11. Nixon PUT

Speaking after training yesterday, Amean said he has no regrets about his decision to leave rugby league and focus on school.

“If I had the chance to go back, I wouldn’t change anything.

“Knowing the boys, they’re more like family to me. Leaving them and the coaching staff has been so hard.”

The 27-year-old from Wabag, Enga Province, explained his reasons.

These were the two big changes announced by SP Hunters coach, Michael Marum this week ahead of Sunday’s round four clash against the Tweed Heads Seagulls at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.

Adam Korave returns to the side after sitting out last weekend due to concussion and will start at prop.

Baundo Aba and Julius Yakopa have been named on the extended bench and will become Hunter #61 and #62 if they are named in the final 17.

The 20 man squad (three to be omitted): 

1. Stargroth AMEAN

2. Edene GABBIE

3. Adex WERA

Three tries in twenty minutes gave the home side a commanding 18-0 lead at half-time.

The Hunters found themselves further behind on the scoreboard two minutes into the second half when centre Jye Ballinger crossed over.

Matt Soper-Lawler had a perfect afternoon with the boot converting to make it 4/4.

It took 57 minutes for the Hunters to finally register points through a try from Nixon Put.

Three minutes later, the Hunters were in again this time, it was Wartovo Puara Jr who found the line.

Hunter #56, Yei made his debut off the bench last weekend, but was given the nod by coach, Michael Marum to be given a run in the first 13, in place of the injured Enock Maki.

Maki was injured in last weekend's win.

Ila Alu has been named on the bench and will become Hunter #59 if he takes the field on Saturday.

Brendon Gotuno, Muka Peter Kulu and Stargroth Amean have also been named on the extended bench.

The 20-man squad is: (two to be omitted)

1. Adex WERA

2. Wawa PAUL

3. Nixon PUT

Marum’s record in the Intrust Super Cup: 67 wins, 29 losses and four draws.

A humble Marum said it was an honour.

“I don’t really look at my own statistics. It was just another game for me,” said Marum.

“It’s an honour to be coaching at this level to get a 100 games. It’s good to be coaching against some of the best rugby players in the past and coaches too.”

Three tries put the Hunters in charge at half-time with a 16-6 lead.

But the tide turned and the home side spent the better part of the second half defending their line

“We didn’t have the football in the second half. We gave away too many balls there so that’s something to work on,” said coach Michael Marum.

Ipswich Jets coach, Shane Walker, put his side’s loss down to the same factor.

“Yeah like Michael said about his own team, we turned over quite a bit of ball. There were a lot of turnovers.

Captain Ase Boas is back after being given the green light, while fullback Stargroth Amean has been ruled out of the opener due to injury.

Forward John Andy will become Hunter #54 after being named in the starting side.

"Stargroth is still nursing a rib injury and also has a chest infection so Adex Wera comes in for him at fullback," said Assistant Coach, Nigel Hukula.

"John is a dynamic player and brings a lot of aggression to the game, earning him a call up."

On the return of Boas, Hukula said the star halfback is fit and will be back at his best.

It didn’t come easy for the Broncos who eventually found their rhythm in the second half after trailing 12-6 at the break.

“It was everything we expected today. We knew the Hunters were going to come out firing and be physical through the middle and as you saw the result in the first half, they didn’t stop putting pressure on us and they were getting a lot of momentum.

“We had to regroup in the second half and go over our processes and make sure that we weren’t handing over the possession that we were at half time.”

This was announced by coach Michael Marum this afternoon after training.

“At the moment, I feel really humbled to take the place of Ase Boas.

“I know it’s a really big shoe to fill.

“I’m going to do what I can do to lead the boys around the park.”

The classy fullback said preparations have gone well. 

"We’re just keeping the atmosphere in camp relaxed and composed.

“We’re all relaxed at the moment and concentrating on taking training one day at a time and know the game will take care of itself.”