The SP Hunters will fight for the top spot this season under the leadership of Adex Wera.
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.
“But then mi lukim olsem mi wanpla sinia pleia tasol mi stap insait so, den mi teikim disla wed osem ‘o, mi disev lo kisim’,” he said. (But then I saw that I am the only senior player in the team so I accepted the statement that ‘I deserve to get this’.)
25-year-old Moses Meninga, from Western Highlands, will be assisting Wera for this season.
With their combined experience, including those from Charlie Simon, Junior Rau and Enock Maki, just to name a few, the skipper believes they can make the finals this year.
Wera’s advice to young players is to always remain positive.
“Taim ol man toktok lo yupla, koment lo yupla, social media ol kam againstim yupla, just kisim olsem lening proses, o stepping stone blo yu so that yu ken wokabaut antap – krungutim na wokabaut antap, ova lo ol,” he advised. (When people say things about you, social media is against you, just take it as a learning process or stepping stone so you can walk over it – step on it and walk over it.)
“So stay positive olgeta taim na work hard every training sessions.”
Meantime, the coaching team was announced as well at the launching, where they will be led by top coach Michael Marum, who will be assisted by Nigel Hukula.
The team doctor is Dr Gideon Kendino, strength and conditioning coach is the energetic Solomon Kuliniasi, the strength coach is Moe Guise, the two trainers are Mong Tavol and Roger Laka, while the team manager is Ronnie Titie Jnr.
