Battle of the rakes key in Sunshine Coast’s bid to topple top-of-table Hunters

FALCONS coach Craig Ingebrigtsen says the clash with the table-topping Hunters will be decided by whoever’s No.9 comes out on top.

Queensland Cup final match between the Townsville Blackhawks v PNG Hunters from Jack Manski Oval. Hunters Wartovo Puara. Picture: Zak Simmonds

FALCONS coach Craig Ingebrigtsen says Sunday’s clash with the table-topping Hunters will be decided by whoever’s No.9 comes out on top.

Sunshine Coast, who have notched up two wins to start the Intrust Super Cup season, will have one of their biggest tests when they go head to head with PNG.

But Ingebrigtsen reckons it will be the battle of the rakes that decides the game, claiming his No.9 Nafe Seluini and PNG’s hooker Wartovo Puara have been two of the competition’s standout players so far.

“He’s outstanding,” Ingebrigtsen said of Puara. “Their six and seven are, too. They have a great pack but those guys play off the back of them really well. We have to be really good on our marker defence.

Hunters hooker Wartovo Puara. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“They (Seluini and Puara) are two really good nines. They could both play in the NRL so I’m looking forward to that clash. I just hope that it’s our No. 9 that comes out on top.”

While he knows how dangerous Puara can be, Ingebrigtsen was also full of praise for Seluini ahead of today’s showdown at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

He said that Seluini had been a real leader for the Falcons in recent weeks, claiming the 25-year-old single-handedly led his team back from a 14-0 deficit against Burleigh last week to win.

The former Panther and Rooster only joined the Falcons this year, but Ingebrigtsen said he had already had a major impact at the club. “Nafe has been heads and shoulders above everyone else.”