Heavy hitters descend on Moresby

PETE MARTINELLI THE Pride have taken no chances for their face-off against the PNG Hunters.

The tourists have packed heavy and taken extra support staff across the Torres Strait.

“We are taking a big staff up with us this weekend, the strength and conditioning team to make sure we tick all those boxes,” coach Ty Williams said.

“It is a rugby league-crazy country.

“They pack out the airport when we come in so it will be interesting for the young fellas.

“It’s as close to being one of the biggest atmospheres the boys will experience.”

Williams did not mince words about the challenge ahead.

“It doesn’t get any tougher – the premiers are there and they are playing for their sea- son,” he said. “We need to be good across the board to get a result.”

Brothers winger Justin Castellaro did not make the trip to PNG with the Pride due to in- jury. “He has ligament damage to his ankle, which swelled up pretty badly,” said Williams.

“We are hoping he’ll only be out for one or two (weeks) due to stretching of ligaments.

“We couldn’t see too much of his ankle bone but he was walking around on it.

“Hopefully it’s just a couple of tears in there.”

Williams said Castellaro performed well against Easts Tigers last weekend.

“He was pretty solid for us, so hopefully we’ll get him some treatment over the next few weeks and he’ll be good to go,” he said.

Meanwhile halfback Jake Clifford made the most of his absence from the Pride with the Maroons team in their Under- 20s State of Origin victory.

He put Queensland in front when he slid over the line in the seventh minute.