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Hunters prop, Koso Bandi, will run off the bench in the match, and is already anticipating a tough encounter against the visiting Pride.

The Northern Pride is currently sitting atop the QRL Hostplus Cup Competition points ladder with an impressive five wins, two loses and a draw and looks to snatch another win to their name when they take on the Hunters later today.

The Sea Eagles lost superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic to a hamstring injury and winger Jason Saab (shoulder) on a night in which they again gave up a 12-point lead to fall to successive losses.

Among a host of stars for the home side, dynamic fullback Trai Fuller was a standout with 155 run metres and a freakish solo try from a chip and chase.

The Sea Eagles struck first in the 10th minute when Daly Cherry-Evans opted to run the ball on the last play and found Ben Trbojevic who put Tommy Talau over in the corner for a 4-0 lead.

Going into Sunday's main drawcard of the triple header, both teams had remained winless since the opening Round.

Lahanis fielded the majority of their 2023 grand final playing group but still had to fight tooth and nail to get the points against a young resilient Isou line up.

After its winning run on Sunday against Asila Waghi Tumbe at the Santos NFS, it's their second win following last week's big upset over Bintongor Goroka Lahanis in Goroka. The wins now place the Cutters on 3^rd place on the points table.

Not to mention Cutters fairytale run started in Round 1 when they turned the tables on favorites Lae Snax Tigers at their home ground, the Peter Humphreys Oval Kimbe making it 3 out of 4 to kick off the new season with great confidence.

This decision comes after a full review by the PNGNRLC of the Round 4 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup match between the Mt Hagen Eagles and Gas Resources Central Dabaris in Minj on Saturday.

The match referee, Bonny Bin has also been penalised; the PNGNRLC admitted that the referee was incorrect in changing his decision late in the match.

The suspension notice signed by Director Southern Confederate Jacob Ivaroa, was served on PRL Board Chairman Dr. James Naipao and executives in light of inconsistencies noticed within the POMRFL Board and acknowledging the fact that POMRFL had failed to conduct an election AGM for three consecutive election years.

The triple header at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday, April 28, saw the Kroton Hela Wigmen defeat the Gulf Isou 18-8 in the first match.

In the second match-up, the rejuvenated Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles accounted for the East New Britain Agmark Gurias 22-14.

With next weekend’s match against Townsville Blackhawks, being away an game, Paul Aiton’s Hunters must work to break out of the cycle of losing away games.

From a total of 23 round matches in the Hostplus Cup Competition 2024, the SP PNG Hunters have played six matches and had a bye in round five.

The game was in the balance until the final moments where the home side pulled away to flatter them on the scoreboard, with Parramatta putting in a much bigger fight than they showed in their loss last week to the Dolphins. 

Eels winger Maika Sivo also crossed for a hat-trick after being recalled to the side, but will be contemplating his choices after being sent to the sin bin late in the second half as his side were mounting a comeback, with Manly instead able to put the game to bed with late tries. 

The Hunters have an ANZAC Day Round 7 clash against 3rd place Burleigh Bears, 3pm Saturday at UAA Park Gold Coast, Queensland.

This sees Tony Worot promoted from the bench to the starting 13 in the number 8 jumper while Rontinga retains his number 4 jumper in the centres. 18th man Seal Kalo now comes onto the interchange bench in 17 while Joshua Mire in the 16. Wendel Kipsy now becomes the 18th man as part of the traveling party.