sp hunters

PNGRFL CEO, Reatau Rau, said this confirmation was received yesterday after the Hunters claimed the minor premiership following their 28-22 win over Wynnum Manly Seagulls on the weekend.  

“QRL Competitions Manager, Dave Maiden, in an email advised that the week 2 semi-final will definitely be held in Port Moresby,” said Rau.

“The SP Hunters opponents could be either be the Redcliffe Dolphins or Easts Tigers. This will be determined after the final round this weekend.”

Marum said Wera will start in the centres with Willie Minoga moved to second rower. Moses Meninga will start at lock.

He added David Loko and Stanton Albert have been omitted from the side for the final round of the season before the finals.

Brandy Peter, Sailas Gahuna and young Muka Peter Kulu have been added to the extended 20-man squad.

The Hunters raced away to a 12-0 lead after tries from Stargroth Amean in the 4^th minute and Watson Boas in the 10^th.

The home side responded with three tries to Carlin Anderson, Paul Byrnes and then Jonathon Reuben just three minutes out from half time.

This left the score at 16-12 at the break with the Blackhawks ahead.

The second half saw no points scored until the 62^nd minute when Israel Eliab crossed over to level the score.

Marum has added young Muka Peter Kulu, Sailas Gahuna, Esau Siune and Paul Wawa in the squad.

The squad:

1. Stargroth AMEAN 2. Bland ABAVU 3. Israel ELIAB 4. Willie MINOGA  5. Butler MORRIS 6. Ase BOAS © 7. Watson BOAS 8. Wellington ALBERT 9. Wartovo PUARA JR  10. Brandy PETER 11. David LOKO 12. Nixon PUT 13. Stanton ALBERT 14. Enock MAKI 15. Moses MENINGA 16. Rhadley BRAWA  17. Karo KAUNA Jnr 18. Muka Peter KULU 19. Esau SIUNE 20. Paul WAWA 21. Sailas GAHUNA

Speaking after yesterday’s 20-4 win over the Ipswich Jets, Marum was less than impressed with his side’s first half performance but was relieved to still come away with the win.

“We expected a tough one. Ipswich are a quality side. We got the two points but there were a lot of errors in the first half.

“In the second half, we polished up on our errors and got over the line.

“A win is a win but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” said Marum.

Marum said the team will regroup and prepare for another big match in round 23 against the Townsville Blackhawks.

The visitors found the try line first after a break from the halfway line by Nemani Valekapa, who then flicked it out to Michael Purcell to score in the 8th minute.

The Hunters could not hold on to the ball in the first half; poor ball handling denied them any points with incomplete sets.

The Jets continued to ask questions but the Hunters’ defence was up to the task to keep them out.

It took 39 minutes but the Hunters finally found the try line, thanks to a barnstorming run from David Loko, who shrugged off five defenders before slamming the ball down.

From 19 games played; the Hunters have won 14, lost four, drawn one plus had the two byes. This has put them on 33 points.

The current standings:

SP Hunters (33), Sunshine Coast Falcons (31), Redcliffe Dolphins (30), Easts Tigers (29), Souths Logan Magpies (28), Townsville Blackhawks (26).

The SP Hunters will play the Ipswich Jets in the round 22 fixture at the National Football Stadium this Saturday. This game will start at 3pm. 

Willie Minoga starts at second row after David Loko was handed a one match suspension for being cited for a dangerous throw.

Back from injury, Wellington Albert will start at prop moving brother Stanton back to his regular lock position and Nixon Put to second row.

Other changes sees Adex Wera to centres while Butler Morris makes a return to wing relegating Paul Wawa to the extended bench.

Enoch Maki also returns from injury and has been named in the 20 man squad.

“We knew it was going to be a tough one. We expected a big game. We got off to a good lead in the early part of the second half but then just fell asleep again. The effort wasn’t there.

“It was basic errors that cost us the draw but one point is better than nothing. We’re looking forward to our next game,” said Marum.

Marum added he was still proud of the team’s performance.

“Maintaining our top placing in the competition for this long is not easy. Every team wants to take you out whether it’s a top team or bottom team. It’s a challenge we go through every week.

The Hunters came out firing asking questions early on putting the Cutters under the pump.

It took 18 minutes for the Hunters to find the try line thanks to the work of halfback Watson Boas who created space out wide for Stargroth Amean to slice through and score.

The visitors hit back only four minutes later after a kick from Nicho Hynes found its mark in Yamba Bowie to fly over on the wing.

Boas was again involved in the Hunters next try this time sending in Israel Eliab to take the Hunters to 12-4.