sp hunters

Four wins from 10 games (three at home and one away) has put the defending premiers on eight points, with a points difference of -42.

With the wind in their sails, the Hunters will be aiming to make it three consecutive wins when they take on the Townsville Blackhawks this Sunday at the Oil Search National Football Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.

The standings after round 11:

PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau said the live televising of the games was made possible through a partnership with SP Brewery.

“This is great news for our people,” Rau said. “On Sunday, you will be able to watch the SP Hunters take on Wynnum Manly at 3pm from Brisbane through Digicel on their TVWAN+ channel.”

Rau thanked SP Brewery for partnering with PNGRFL to bring the remaining away games live to the fans.

“This should motivate and inspire the SP Hunters players to perform better knowing that everybody in the country will be watching,” Rau added.

The only one at the press conference, Marum vented his frustrations, criticising referee Michael Gordon’s control of the match.

Marum opened up by going back to Gordon’s controversial call in the 74^th minute that saw Wawa Paul pick up a loose ball from a Wartovo Puara Jr tackle on Magpies halfback, Sam Scarlett, and run 90 metres to score.

But Gordon ruled that Puara was offside and penalised the Hunters.

It started out differently with newly appointed fullback Edene Gabbie dashing 80 metres to score and put the home side in front the first four minutes.

With Ase Boas converting, the Hunters were out to a 6-0 lead.

But the tourists responded not long after from a kick that found the hands of Marion Seve.

With the conversion successful, it was 6-6.

The Hunters muscled their way back to regain the lead through Willie Minoga, who barged through for a four-pointer.

Ase simply added the extras with ease.

Despite a good start from the Hunters, it was the home side who got on the board first through a penalty conversion from Kotoni Staggs in the 4th minute.

The Hunters continued to attack and they managed to find the try line in the 9th minute after rookie winger Junior Rau scored off a Watson Boas grubber.

Brother and skipper, Ase Boas kicked a penalty goal to push the Hunters out to 6-2.

But the Dolphins maintained their composure and struck twice in the back end of the first half to give them a 14-6 advantage at the break.

The team was finalized yesterday afternoon with coach Michael Marum naming two debutants - Patrick Morea and Junior Bobby in his final 18 that will have the mammoth task of trying to win back the Cup.

Not playing this weekend is Adex Wera and enforcer Adam Korave.

The team left for Brisbane this morning. The round six clash will kick off tomorrow at 6pm at Dolphin Stadium.

Head-to-Head: PNG 6 Redcliffe 2 Drawn 1

The Hunters only win at Redcliffe was in their first Cup match back in 2014.

The final 18:

1. Edene GABBIE

2. Junior RAU

Junior Bobby becomes Hunter No. 64 when he runs on in the starting line up on the wing in place of Brendon Gotuno who has been omitted while Morea will become Hunter No. 65 when he comes off the bench.

Edene Gabbie has been moved to fullback for the injured Adex Wera. Junior Rau shifts to the wing with Paul Wawa making a return to the starting line up in the centres.

Baundo Aba starts at prop in place of Adam Korave who has been omitted. Watson Boas will partner brother Ase in the halves. Enock Maki returns from injury and has been named on the bench.

Out of five games, the Hunters have only won two, which have been home games. The defending premiers are yet to win away, having lost all three games.

This has put them on four competition points with a points difference of -14.

Round six will see the Hunters play away this weekend against the Redcliffe Dolphins at Dolphin Stadium, Australia. The match will start at 6pm.

The current standings:

Three tries in the first half from the Devils put them in front at 16-6 at half-time.

The Hunters' only try came from Moses Meninga.

The Hunters were the first to get on the board in the second term through a try from Wartovo Puara Jr.

Captain and five-eighth Ase Boas converted to narrow the deficit with the score at 16-12.

But three tries in the space of 12 minutes to Sam Tagataese, Calum Gahan and Todd Murphy pushed the score out to 34-12 in favour of the Devils.

Rau was named in the starting line-up at centre in place of the injured Willie Minoga.

SP Hunters coach, Michael Marum has also moved Adex Wera to fullback with Butler Morris to play at centre. Patrick Morea and Junior Bobby have been named on the extended bench.

The 20 man squad (two to be omitted):

1. Adex WERA

2. Edene GABBIE

3. Junior RAU

4. Butler MORRIS

5. Brendon GOTUNO

6. Ase BOAS - Captain

7. Charlie SIMON

8. Moses MENINGA

9. Wartovo PUARA Jnr

10. Adam KORAVE

11. Nixon PUT