The Romano Group Seagulls will welcome back co-captain Damian Sironen for the trip to Port Moresby for Saturday’s cash with the Hunters as front row stocks have been tested in recent weeks.
And Queensland Rangers representative Shem Vaoa has also been called into a side that has been tested by injury at ISC level and the Gold Coast Titans’ critical casualty list.
Eddy Pettybourne and John Olive have been called up the Titans side to play South Sydney, joining Seagulls-allocated Titans contracted players Max King, Morgan Boyle and Will Zillman who had played for the Gulls in recent weeks. Prop Ben Nakabuwai has also been listed in the Titans’ 21-man provisional squad.
The Seagulls went into the pre-season with an abundance of good quality front-rowers but injury and circumstance has eroded the list – yet the return of big ‘Sirro’ and elevation of year-old Vaoa against the aggressive Hunters is great news for coach Aaron Zimmerle.
Sironen missed two games because of concussion then injured his knee in his comeback match in round 12, meaning he has played only one of the past five matches.
With Shane Gillham (knee, rd 11 v Sunshine Coast), Kurt Bernard (returned to his native Auckland after round 10) joining Ethan Price (back, has not played this season) and Tikiko Noke (returned to Fiji before round one after being unable to extend his visa) on the unavailability list, Nakabuwai and Carne Doyle-Manga have had to carry the up-front load in recent weeks.
This means in the past two games, against the Capras and Wynnum Seagulls, coach Aaron Zimmerle has been unable to field a specialist prop on the bench after having two in earlier games.
Vaoa plays his second ISC game this season, after debuting against Easts in round 11 and being impressive for the Seagulls A-grade and in representative appearances, and deserves his spot on the bench.
After winning a Colts competition with Burleigh Bears under Seagulls A-grade coach Darryl Fisher, he had the 2016 season off and his progression through the Gold Coast, South East Queensland to Queensland representation (to play the NSW Jim Beam Cup side) with just five appearances in A-grade shows his potential.
With Olive playing NRL and winger Dave Sheridan (hamstring) injured (along with Braden McGrady), regular back-rower Jackson Clarke has been chosen in the centres, with James Toole again on the wing.
While back-rower Lamare Liolevave returns from suspension, the Seagulls have lost Sam Saville (sternum) with injury.
The teams:
PNG Hunters v Tweed Seagulls at National Football Stadium on Saturday, 5pm
Tweed Heads Seagulls
1. Phoenix Hunapo
2. James Toole
3. James Wood
4. Jackson Clarke
5. Peter Lee
6. Lindon McGrady
7. Michael Burgess
8. Ben Nakubuwai
9. Samuel Meskell (c)
10. Carne Doyle-Manga
11. Lamar Manuel-Liolevave
12. Tristan Lumley
13. Nick Harrold
INTERCHANGE
14. William Johnstone
15. Shem Vaoa
16. Damian Sironen
17. Dane Clarke
19. Mackenzie Reid
Coach: Aaron Zimmerle
PNG Hunters
1. Stargroth Amean 2. Bland Abavu 3. Israel Eliab 4. Adex Wera 5. Wawa Paul 6. Ase Boas (c) 7. Watson Boas 8. Wellington Albert 9. Wartovo Puara 10. Esau Siune 11. Nixon Putt 12. David Loko 13. Stanton Albert 14. Lawrence Tu’u 15. Willie Minoga 16. Enock Maki 17. Muka Peter Kalu 18. Brandy Peter 19. Karo Kauna Jr. 20. Noel Joel
Coach: Michael Marum
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