It's back to basics for the Papua New Guinea Hunters, who kick off their fourth season in the Queensland Cup today away to the Central Queensland Capras.
PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum. Photo: EMTV
The Hunters were shock losers in the first round of the playoffs last season.
They've welcomed back some familiar faces for 2017, with former captain Israel Eliab home from England, centre Willie Minoga from Townsville and brothers Stanton and Wellington Albert back from the Penrith Panthers.
Head coach Michael Marum said the Capras have recruited well in the off-season and they would need to be on their game.
"Really keep all our attacks really simple and the scale our forwards to go up and get those yards for us," he said.
" If we can play at the back of that we've got a lot of speed out there, our halves are quick. We just want to keep it really simple, whether we're coming out of our own half of playing into their goal-line."
The Hunters only lost once at home last season but struggled on the road.
Marum said success in Rockhampton today would get their campaign off on the right foot.
"Every club in the competition wants to get off to a really good start in putting up points so before we go into the main competition phase, where all the team pick up their form, a good game away with a good win, we can only work from there."
"We come back home and the go for another away trip," he said.
The PNG Hunters would be without some key players this weekend, with fullback Stargroth Amean, hooker Wartovo Puara and vice-captain Wellington Albert all ruled out through injury.
