2018 Intrust Super Cup

The PNGRFL chairman, Sandis Tsaka, said the SP Hunters club displayed a high level of professionalism and culture during that period.

Speaking during the SP Hunters Awards Nite on August 30^th, the PNGRFL chairman acknowledged the team’s tireless efforts, patience, passion and commitment during the 2018 season.

“The entire team has served the sport and country with pride and distinction, both on and off the field,” Tsaka said.

“And you have been the pride and great ambassadors of our sport and country.

They have been maintaining their sixth ranking until the defeat by Central Queensland Capras on Saturday.

For 5 consecutive rounds, the SP PNG Hunters made sure they remained on top of their game.

Coach Michael Marum kept stressing on defensive play, until Saturday evening when weak defense ensured the Capras a 16-point victory, bumping the SP Hunters out of the top 6.

Coach Marum said the football displayed on August 25^th was not good enough.

After the 2018 Intrust Super Cup round 23, Wartovo Puara Jnr has now played a total of 110 games, and isn’t showing any sign of slowing down.

Puara Jnr has been with the SP PNG Hunters since 2014.

From Vunadidir in East New Britain Province, the 28-year-old started off with his local club, the Rabaul Agmark Gurias, in 2011.

After three years with the Gurias, he joined the SP Hunters and boasts the title of ‘the most kept player’, alongside teammate Adex Wera.

“The experience has been good for us,” Puara said.

The SP PNG Hunters are now on solid ground and focused on winning their final home game in front of their loved ones and supporters this Sunday.

When the team started training early this year, half of the Hunters squad was made up of newcomers.

It took a while for Coach Michael Marum to establish their strengths and weaknesses.

“By mid-season I knew which players were going to be left out and which players we were going to rely on,” stated Marum.

“We were just waiting on the right time to start winning those games.”

The Hunters have steadily moved up the rungs after winning their last 5 games.

Their winning streak started in round 18 when they played against the Northern Pride on July 15^th.

After securing a 10-point victory, the Hunters took on the Norths Devils in Lae on July 22^nd during the round 19 country week game.

Playing for the first time in PNG’s second largest city, and in front of over 10,000 people, the Hunters trampled the Devils 32-10.

Back at the National Football Stadium, the Hunters mauled the Burleigh Bears 20-10 in round 20.

The Hunters’ defense were too strong for the Magpies as they kept them at bay with a 12-point victory.

The SP PNG Hunters have maintained their winning streak as they thrashed the South Logan Magpies 18-6 this afternoon in Brisbane.

9 minutes into the round 21 game and the Hunters were the first to put a mark on the board through a penalty goal.

3 minutes later, Junior Rau registered the team’s first try of the match.

Saving the best for last, Adex Wera sprinted towards the Bears’ tryline for a comfortable 20-10 win.

The teams were evenly matched in the first 20 minutes of the game, testing each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Senior player and hooker, Wartovo Puara Jnr, was the first to break the monotone with his second try for the 2018 Intrust Super Cup season.

Unfortunately, captain Ase Boas was unable to convert the try.

6 minutes later, the Burleigh Bears responded with a runaway try by Troy Leo.

The team is currently ranked third in the Intrust Super Cup competition with 26 points, while the SP PNG Hunters are ninth on the ladder with 20 points.

In last weekend’s round 19 game, the Bears beat the Central Queensland Capras 24-14, while the Hunters beat Norths Devils 32-10.

Sunday’s game is a must-win for the Hunters if they wish to make the top 6.

The team lists for round 20:

The Hunters were brutal in both defense and attack in a match which had a finals feel.

The boot of Hunters Captain Ase Boas was the difference as he slotted in two conversions and three penalty goals for a 10-point win.

It was a physical encounter from the get go with both teams testing each other’s defense and attack.

It wasn’t until the 26th minute when Adex Wera scored off a fifth last grubber from Watson Boas.

The Pride would hit back 7 minutes later when an unmarked Brett Anderson catches a Jack Campagnolo kick to score.

High from their round 16 win against the Falcons, the Hunters were looking to win this home game but unfortunately, the third-placed Dolphins proved to be too strong.

Just 3 minutes into the round 17 Intrust Super Cup clash and the Dolphins’ captain, Cameron Cullen, weaved through Hunters defenders at the 40-metre mark and scored the first try of the match.