The SP PNG Hunters second-rower and vice-captain Keven Appo has accepted a two-match suspension after a shoulder charge in the team’s round two match against Ipswich jets.
The 22-year-old will watch from the sidelines, Hunters’ round three match against the Mackay Cutters this Saturday and round four clash with Sunshine Coast Falcons on April 17.
A minor setback for Hunters’ but coach Matthew Church is confident the side can overcome.
After an impressive performance off-the-bench in the last two games, Emmanuel Waine will now start in the starting lineup while Judah Rimu takes on Waine’s spot on the bench.
SP PNG Hunters starting lineup for the round three clash against Mackay Cutters at BB Print Stadium, Mackay on Saturday, April 10, 6pm:
1. Terry Wapi. 2. Junior Rau. 3. Brendan Nima. 4. Jokadi Bire. 5. Brendon Gotuno. 6. Watson Boas. 7. Charlie Simon. 8. Epel Kapinias. 9. Wartovo Puara Jnr. 10. Samuel Yegip. 11. Benji Kot. 12. Emmanuel Waine. 13. Ila Alu (c). Interchange: 14. Edwin Ipape. 15. Sylvester Namo. 16. Mark Piti. 17. Judah Rimbu. Coach: Matt Church
Mackay Cutters:
1. Matiu Stone-Dunn. 2. Josh Smith. 3. Michael Bell. 4. Blake Paskins. 5 Kane Bradley. 6. Ata Hingano. 7. Brandon Finnegan. 8. Ross Bella. 9. Sean Mullany. 10. Emry Pere. 11. Jesse Dee. 12. Aidan Beard. 13. Jack Quinn. Interchange: 14. Kyle Krisanski Kennedy. 15. Jack Brock. 16. Kell Jenner. 17. Morgan McWhirter. Coach: Michael Crawley.
The only other player unavailable from the Hunters squad is Kumuls prop Enock Maki who is recovering from a minor surgery to remove some floating bone in his knee.
Maki is expected to make his first appearance for 2021 in round five of the Queensland Intrust Super Cup.
Can the Hunters’ end Cutters’ winning streak and make two wins in a row without Kevin Appo? Let us know via our EMTV Sports Facebook Page: @emtvsports.
