Brandy Peter

He was listed ahead of Stanton Albert for this Sunday’s Round 17 clash against Central Queensland Capras at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

Hunters coach Michael Marum said vice-captain Wellington Albert, who sat out last weekend’s match due to suspension, returns to the side and joins younger brother Stanton as well as Enock Maki and David Loko on the extended bench.

He said Adex Wera has been omitted due to injury, allowing Willie Minoga back to the centres while Stargroth Amean will start on the wing.

The lad from Karani village, in the Southern Highlands Province, who started playing rugby league in primary school in Port Moresby, said he sacrificed his studies at the University of Technology in Lae and pushed his way into the SP Hunters.

“I withdrew from studies and started with the Hunters.

“Last year I played my 50^th Intrust Super Cup game and played Test matches for PNG," he said.

“I got offered contracts to play overseas so I trained with Souths Logan Magpies during the pre-season for two to three months and I came back to PNG.

With Brandy Peter replacing forward Timothy Lomai due to a knee injury, halfback Watson Boas forcing his way back into the team and Tuvi Lepan back on the bench, Marum believes some of the key players will hold on and pass their physios to play this weekend.

“We don’t want to risk our players but we hope that they fully recover before taking the field,” Marum said.

“We also have other support players with the two new players recently recruited but they are yet to reach the required level to take the field.”