SP Hunters Names 60 Member Train-on Squad for Pre-Season Camp

By Elijah Lavett – EMTV Sports, Port Moresby

A 60 member train-on squad has been named for the SP PNG Hunters pre-season camp. This is the highest number of players that have been selected for pre-season since their inception into the Queensland Intrust Super Cup competition.

15 players have been retained from last year’s squad, and will see 3 former SP Hunters players in the likes of William Aquila, Junior Rop and Bland Abavu included.

12 players from the PNG U23 residents’ team, including Brendon Nima, Edward Ipape and Woods Kawage who were part of the Kumuls squad for the England Knights 2 game series, have also been named in the train-on squad along with 20 players from the Intercity Cup competition.

The squad will go through medical and fitness tests, and undergo intensive training till the 23rd of December when they go for a break. The final 30-member team will be named, and will resume training on the 3rd of January.

Also part of the squad is former PNG Pukpuk 7’s player, Gairo Kopana, who’s been selected from the Agmark Gurias.

SP Brewery Commercial Manager Morris William has commended the work done by PNGRFL over the years, and says they are looking forward to the new season.

The SP Hunters selectors have opted for a much younger train-on squad. With many key positions vacant, Coach Michael Marum says he’s looking forward to working with some of the selected players during the pre-season.

Marum says this year’s train-on squad has been selected from different competitions to give players the opportunity to be part of the SP Hunters.