PNG Hunters

The former Mendi Muruk star centre has settled in well with the Hunters after Round 4. Lama is making the most of every opportunity in his rugby league career, unleashing the best for the Hunters.

A new decade, a new coach and a new playing squad, blended with youth and experience ready to take the Hunters program into its 11^th year running in the Australian 2^nd tier QRL competition.

The Western Highlander has again defied all odds to make it back into camp for block two of the reduced Hunters' likely squad for the 2024 QRL Hostplus cup season.

Born into a Seventh-Day Adventist family, Robert’s early upbringing was mostly focused on religious activities and education. He only played rugby during the Christmas holidays but never took it seriously.

As part of the team’s community engagement, the Hunters visited Lihir International Primary school to run basic rugby league skills sessions with the students. They also met with executives of Lihir rugby league for a short clinic session on the dynamics of the game, mainly at the QRL elite level.

Wane was ruled out of the 2022 season after picking up a foot injury in the match against Townsville Blackhawks.

Hunters speed machine Solo Wane is back up and running after going through rehab and recovery process after last year’s season ending foot injury.

Wane made his debut for the Hunters 2021 after his impressive run with local club Hela Wigmen taking out the 2020 Digicel Cup grand title against the Tigers.

In his two tenure with Hunters so far Solo Wane had scored some great tries but none more spectacular than his long range try

The QRL has sought ongoing independent advice in relation to the proposed Hunters’ home match on Saturday, August 20. 

Based on this advice and the need to ensure the health and safety of all teams and club personnel remains a priority, the Board has not approved travel to PNG this weekend.

As a result, the Round 19 game between the Hunters and Bears will now be played at Bycroft Oval on the Gold Coast. 

Butterfield last year called time on a highly decorated playing career that included four Cup grand final appearances and a Test debut for the Papua New Guinea Kumuls in 2017.

He is a highly respected member of the PNG rugby league community and is looking forward to taking on a new challenge this season.

“I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to join the Hunters in 2022," Butterfield said.

Stanton Albert and Brendon Gotuno, to clear the air on why they were dropped from the 2022 PNG Hunters team.

Ipape was sacked by the PNG Hunters last month for disciplinary issues but was quickly signed up by the Adrian Lam coached English club, Leigh Centurions  for the 2022 season.

Ipape scored one of the most amazing Kumul tries of all  time on the stroke of halftime  to set up  the stunning second half comeback for PNG Kumuls to upset Great Britain 28-10  in 2019 at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.

The Lae Snax Tigers franchise owner and LBC Group Manager, John Chow, said it has been a huge success for Tepend over his last nine years as Tigers head coach. Chow is he can get better given the elevated recognition.

Following the announcement of Tepend’s appointment by the Hunters board last week, the LBC joined the rest of the franchises, supporters and especially the Tigers team in wishing Tepend the best with the Hunters.

Chow said the records speaks for itself for Tepend both at the domestic and international level.