PNG Hunters unveil 2019 season leaders

One of the foundation PNG Hunters players has been named to lead the team in this year’s Intrust Super Cup campaign.

Experienced outside back Adex Wera was last night unveiled as the PNG Hunters captain going forward; with Moses Meninga his deputy.

Wera was announced as the man to take over the leadership duties from Ase Boas at the club’s season launch.

Boas and his brother Watson are just two members of the 2018 Hunters team who have left the side to pursue opportunities in the United Kingdom, with the club seeing a large exodus of players to overseas clubs during the off-season.

This also includes 100+-gamer Wartovo Puara to Barrow Raiders and rising young stars Edene Gebbie to Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Nixon Putt to Norths Devils.  

• Read >> Gains and Losses for 2019: PNG Hunters

With the vast loss of experience, coach Michael Marum has called on Wera to help guide the squad’s new faces through a rebuilding phase at the club.

Wera, from Goroka in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea, is versatile back who has made his mark at fullback thanks to his speed, but can also play wing and centre.

Marum has been impressed by the way Wera has developed to be one of the leaders in the playing group and by the way he has provided plenty of support to new players.

Speaking with QRL Media after Wera became the first player at the club to post 50 Intrust Super Cup tries last season; Marum was full of praise for the Kumuls representative.

“Adex is one of our last foundation players from 2014 ... from an ordinary settlement boy from Goroka up in the Eastern Highlands to a local hero kids look up to when we play with his attacking skills and try scoring abilities,” Marum said.

Wera will be supported by vice captain Moses Meninga.

The second row / lock was named Best Defender in the club’s 2018 end-of-season awards and has been a consistent and reliable performer for the Hunters for a number of seasons.