The SP PNG Hunters will have an advantage this weekend when they run out to a home crowd welcome tomorrow Saturday 29th April, to play host to the Mackay Cutters in Round 7 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. Having fallen short to the Burleigh Bears in Round 6 last week, the Hunters should outplay the Cutters who are currently sitting at 14th place on the ladder while the Hunters are at 11th place. However, the Hunters will be without suspended five-eighth Sakias Komati this week but will be confident of returning to the winners circle against the 14th placed Cutters. The last time these sides met was in Round 20 last year, when the Hunters produced one of the performances of the season. Down on the scoreboard with just minutes remaining, a length of the field try in the 77th minute clinched the result for the Hunters to ensure they finished the 2022 season on a high. Current Hunters players Rodrick Tai, Judah Rimbu, Ila Alu and Brandon Nima were instrumental to that result and shape as key players for PNG again, this week. Mackay have made a host of changes to their Round 6 losing side and will be desperate to get their season back on track with a win this weekend. Head Coach Stanley Tepend was understandably disappointed with last week’s performance and is looking forward to a response on Saturday. “It’s obviously been a disappointing last few weeks.” “Full credit to Burleigh who played a great game, but we just lacked energy and intent right from the kick off. We just weren’t there last week but the boys are learning quickly that in this competition you have to be ready to turn up every week.” Tepend said his side has focused on being accountable for individual performances this week. “We’ve had a look at our individual preparation – what we do throughout the week, on game day, how we’re preparing ourselves for the game. We need to be accountable for our own actions and make sure we’re all on the same page.” “We’ve focused on staying in our systems and being more resilient when things don’t go our way. We know we’ve got points in us but we just need to not panic and trust our defensive systems.” Team List 1. Morea Morea 2. Siki Konden 3. Brandon Nima 4. Rodrick Tai 5. Solo Wane 6. Joshua MIre 7. Jamie Mavoko 8. Junior Rop 9. Wesser Tenza 10. Epel Kapinias 11. Sherwin Tanabi 12. Julius Yakoba 13. Ila Alu (captain) 14. Judah Rimbu 15. Tom Moide 16. Henry Noki 17. Koso Bandi 1 8. Benji Kot 19. Sanny Wabo 20. Trevor Solu