Posted By Staff Reporter
PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls prop Mark Mexico finally gets his chance to break out in the Queensland Cup rugby league top of the table clash this Saturday at the Kalabond Stadium in Kokopo.
Mexico was yesterday named in the SP Brewery-sponsored PNG Hunters line-up to play competition leaders Northern Pride. With the Hunters running a close second, the inclusion of 25-year-old Mexico will see their PNG franchise at near full-strength. This will be Mexico’s first match, after last playing for the Kumuls during the World Cup last year. The Hunter’s enforcer has been itching to get a run after recovering from a minor knee operation last month. Watching from the side lines for the past three weeks has built up the fire in his belly and the young man from Wabag and Hanuabada is keen to add his 106-kilogramme frame to coach Michael Marum’s plans. Marum yesterday said Mexico had been running well after the operation and after 14 weeks of training, they would give him a start off the bench. Mexico was named in yesterday’s preliminary line-up, with last weekend’s bolter Noel Zemming, pictured, earning a call-up to the starting 13 at half-back. Mexico comes in for Esau Siune and Zemming for Roger Laka. Marum said Zemming’s form against the Central Queensland Capras was too good to ignore and it would be a good test for the playmaker. “He (Noel) has been consistent coming off the bench and this has opened the door for Tiger (Emere) to come into the side on the bench,” Marum said. Marum said Emere was a similar mould to impact sub Willie Minoga and would be a handful for tiring defences. He however said that other players named are also under close scrutiny with niggling injuries and changes could still be made by Friday. Edward Goma also makes his first appearance as the 18th man. The Hunters have a 3-0 record with their biggest victory so far, a 46-14 mauling of the Central Queensland Capras last week in Kokopo, which has them perched in second spot on the Queensland Cup points ladder. The Pride lead the competition with a better points differential over the Hunters despite both being on six points after perfect starts the season. SP Hunters: Adex Wera, Garry Lo, Thompson Teteh, Albert Patak, George Benson, Israel Eliab (C), Noel Zemming, Joe Bruno, Wartovo Puara Junior, Gonzela Urakusie, David Loko, Brandy Peter Sebastian Pandia, Tiger Emere, Willie Minoga, Lawrence Tu’u, Mark Mexico, Edward Goma (one to be omitted). Comments are closed.
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