Discipline continues to be a problem for the Papua New Guinea Hunters rugby league team, with captain Adex Wera the latest player to be stood down by the club.
The Goroka-born 28-year-old will miss today's Intrust Super Cup clash away to the Burleigh Bears after failing to attend a series of training sessions earlier this week.
PNG Hunters captain Adex Wera (R) and vice-captain Moses Meninga (L). Photo: Facebook/SP PNG Hunters
Coach Michael Marum said he has yet to see the veteran centre perform to his best this season, saying it was particularly disappointing behaviour from a senior player at a time when the team is struggling on the field.
"It's sad to see because we expect our leaders to be leading the way," he said.
"And also since we got [former captain] Ase Boas back it's mainly he's just standing in as a captain as one of the leaders too so he's trying his best to go and make sure the boys are doing the right thing at times but he can't be the only one doing that.
"Certainly the other senior groups on the team they need to stand up, get their act together and make sure they lead this team around with the younger players coming through."
PNG Hunters captain Adex Wera, PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau and coach Michael Marum. Photo: Facebook/SP PNG Hunters
Adex Wera is the fifth Hunters player to be suspended for skipping training in the first two months of the season. Joe Joshua, McKenzie Yei and Junior Rop were dropped last month after missing a team recovery session, while Junior Rau was omitted from last weekend's 28-10 home defeat against the Ipswich Jets after the winger missed two training sessions.
"Normally when we have a session they don't turn up or they didn't tell anyone or they are either out there drinking with their mates or someone else but these players are leaders and we expect them to be in their best leading the team as well," said Marum.
Into his sixth year as Hunters boss, the experienced Marum said the pattern of ill discipline was not acceptable and some players will soon find themselves no longer part of the team.
"We've got a big squad of 33 so the plan is after the Blackhawks game next weekend and then they go away.," he said.
"Some boys will be given a one-way ticket to go home - we can't continue to have this sort of behaviour and the discipline issues in the camp, especially at a time when we're struggling to win games."
"We're still getting players missing games every weekend by doing the wrong thing so we've tried to maintain our standards."
The Hunters only win so far this season was against Central Queensland Capras two weeks ago. Photo: QRL Media
Meanwhile, Jordan Pat is poised to make his Hunters debut off the bench in today's ANZAC Round clash at Burleigh, as the Hunters look to bounce back from a sixth defeat in seven games.
Charlie Simon will partner Ase Boas in the halves in place of Jerry Teme, while the fit again Shane Haro comes in on the wing for Brendon Gotuno, who is graduating from university, and Enock Maki starts in the front row in place of Dilbert Issac, who has an exam.
"Any game is just not easy for us. We just have to go out there and make sure we execute our game plan and make sure follow instructions and what we want to do in our game," said Marum.
"We always prepare well, it's just execution on game day is one thing we're lacking."