Former captain Ase Boas returns to the Papua New Guinea Hunters starting line-up, one week after leaving English rugby league club Featherstone Rovers.
The 2017 Intrust Super Cup player of the season replaces William Mone at halfback for this weekend's match away to league leaders Easts Tigers in Brisbane, with Justin Yoka retained at stand-off following an encouraging debut in the narrow loss against Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
Ase Boas is back with the PNG Hunters. Photo: Melvin Levongo
Hunters coach Michael Marum said the former Hunters skipper is in good shape and happy to be back in familiar surrounds.
"Ase has been contacting us ever since he left the country and he was [in England] so we tried to encourage him to stay there and get the season out down there but he had issues with the club and that sort of thing," he said.
"So he came back on Friday, he came straight into camp so he will be named in the side somewhere."
Papua New Guinea international Ase Boas during his time with Featherstone Rovers. Photo: Facebook/FeatherstoneRovers
Michael Marum said Boas is already registered with Queensland Rugby League, after being released by the Rovers club, and will offer valuable experience and leadership to the new-look Hunters squad.
"Probably that's what these young boys needed - someone that's going to be out there talking, directing them, understand the game, know where to play and that sort of thing so he will be good for us."
Four more players will make their Hunters debut in Saturday's round four clash with Shane Haro joining captain Adex Wera in the centres, Kevin Appo and Epel Kapinias selected in the back row and Woods Kawage set to feature from the bench.
Meanwhile, coach Michael Marum confirmed Joe Joshua, McKenzie Yei and Junior Rop have been dropped for disciplinary reasons after missing a team recovery session.