The Papua New Guinea Hunters are on high alert for Sunday's home match against Intrust Super Cup rugby league champions Burleigh.
The Bears are a lowly 11th on the table, with just five wins from 16 games, including a 42-6 drubbing by the Hunters back in April.
But the reigning premiers have won three of their last five matches and Hunters coach Michael Marum said Burleigh cannot be underestimated.
"They've got some of their players back who left early this year or late last year so they've put together a few good wins over the past few weeks. The week before (last) they smashed (2015 Premiers) Ipswich 40 points to nil so they will be tough," he said.
They'll come up here, they've got a good forward pack so they've got good halves that control the games around so we just have to be switched on in everything we do out there."
PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum. Photo: RNZI / Melvin Levongo
The Hunters are two points clear at the top of the Intrust Super Cup ladder, with four of their seven remaining regular season games in Port Moresby.
With a bye to come next weekend, Marum said it was important they keep winning, and stay ahead of the chasing pack, in the countdown to the playoffs.
"We understand there's six/seven games remaining so our points at home are really crucial at this stage as well, so we have to put in a very good performance against Burleigh before we go for our break."
The PNG Hunters will also be defending the Kokoda Cup against Burleigh on Sunday, which is played for between the two sides.
The Burleigh Bears and the PNG Hunters play for the Kokoda Cup Photo: EMTV
