sp hunters

It didn’t come easy for the Broncos who eventually found their rhythm in the second half after trailing 12-6 at the break.

“It was everything we expected today. We knew the Hunters were going to come out firing and be physical through the middle and as you saw the result in the first half, they didn’t stop putting pressure on us and they were getting a lot of momentum.

“We had to regroup in the second half and go over our processes and make sure that we weren’t handing over the possession that we were at half time.”

This was announced by coach Michael Marum this afternoon after training.

“At the moment, I feel really humbled to take the place of Ase Boas.

“I know it’s a really big shoe to fill.

“I’m going to do what I can do to lead the boys around the park.”

The classy fullback said preparations have gone well. 

"We’re just keeping the atmosphere in camp relaxed and composed.

“We’re all relaxed at the moment and concentrating on taking training one day at a time and know the game will take care of itself.”

General Manager Strategy and External Affairs, Hulala Tokome said Puma’s sponsorship since its inception in 2014 leading up to 2020 will total just under K150, 000.

“We are committed to the country in terms of being able to support and sponsor in various ways especially within our Community Service Responsibility areas of activity in health, education and women and children.

“In this particular case, we continue to support the Hunters. Our sponsorship very much has been in kind for the provision of fuel.

“We wish the Hunters all the best this season.

Coach Michael Marum said it was made official last night when the players put pen to paper.

He added the team is ready for this season.

“Training resumed last Thursday and we are preparing for the pre-season trial match against NRL giants Brisbane Broncos.

“We want to put up a good performance against the Broncos and try out new combinations as well as give the new players some experience,” said coach Marum.

The 29-man squad (in alphabetical order) is:

1.         Baundo Aba                -           Enga Mioks

Hundreds of mourners flocked in to Tatana village this morning to the house of the rugby league centre.

Some of the first there were the PNG Rugby Football League, SP Hunters players and management led by coach, Michael Marum.

Just after 10am, Ottio’s body was carried by his teammates into the waiting funeral home van to be taken to Erima.

More details of his untimely passing will be released after the PNGRFL and Ottio’s family meet.

The Intrust Super Premiership NSW winners raced away to the lead after 16 minutes, thanks to three tries from centre Tony Satini.

It was all one way traffic with the Hunters struggling to stop the onslaught. Tries came from Darren Nicholls and Viliame Kikau and one to Jarome Luai.

The Hunters’ only points came off the boot of captain Ase Boas, who kicked a penalty goal.

Satini was not done yet and scored his fourth of the match right on the half-time siren to take the score out to 38-2.

The 18 man squad are as follows:

1.         Stargroth AMEAN

2.         Paul WAWA

3.         Bland ABAVU

4.         Adex WERA

5.         Butler MORRIS

6.         Ase BOAS (C)

7.         Watson BOAS

8.         Wellington ALBERT

9.         Wartovo PUARA JR

10.       Stanton ALBERT

11.       David LOKO

12.       Nixon PUT

13.       Moses MENINGA

14.       Rhadley BRAWA

15.       Willie MINOGA

16.       Enock MAKI

17.       Brandy PETER

18.       Esau SIUNE

The win was sealed two minutes out from full time with a try from Willie Minoga off an Ase Boas grubber.

The Hunters found themselves behind on the scoreboard after only two minutes when some second man play from the Falcons on the halfway line created space out wide for Matthew Soper-Lawler to race away and score.

The Falcons were in again four minutes later after a short ball from Ryley Jacks send a charging Joe Stimson over the line.

Stimson then added the extras to extend the Falcons lead.

The squad remains unchanged for Michael Marum’s men, with the coach sticking with the same line-up that beat the Redcliffe Dolphins 6-4 in the major semi-final at the National Football Stadium on September 10.

The final match of the 2017 Intrust Super Cup competition will be played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. The match will get underway at 3:25pm.

SP Hunters:

This comes after the Falcons soared over the Redcliffe Dolphins with a 40-14 win in the preliminary final played yesterday afternoon at Dolphin Oval, Australia.

Former Hunter and PNG Kumuls flyer, Justin Olam featured in the win for the Falcons with a double to his name.

The 2017 Intrust Super Cup grand final will be played at Suncorp Stadium on September 24.