SP PNG Hunters

The players released are Jerry Teme, Woods Kawage, Tom Moide, Israel Steven, Gilmo Paul, Solomon Pukari, Allan Simbiri, Messac Wallen, Stanley Olo, Benji Kot and Saki Peter while Dilbert Isaac, who is still nursing an injury, will undergo further medical tests to prove his fitness.

Before the players were released, SP PNG Hunters Coach, Matthew Church, said he had spoken to the 11 players just to keep working hard and take their opportunity when it comes along. 

Head coach Matthew Church said the trial matches will give the team a good platform heading into next year’s competition.

Church announced last week that the Hunters will play a home and an away trial match before the ISC season proper starts.

The Hunters were outmuscled and outplayed in every facet as the Seagulls pilled on 12 tries against the visitors.

From the kick-off, Roy Ellison dropped the ball and the Seagulls immediately posted a four pointer through Jordan Drew.

Drew would bag his second soon after as well as Mitch Cronin with another two while Dredin Sorensen McGee, Edward Burns and Jack Goodsell scored a try each.

Junior Rau scored for the Hunters just before the break for a 36 – 4 halftime score.

Wynnum are one of the in-form teams of the competition and have won five of their past six games.

Though they will be a tough team to beat this afternoon at the BMD Kougari Oval, the SP PNG Hunters are still going in all guns blazing as their 2019 Intrust Super Season winds down to a close.

The Seagulls sit in second place on the Queensland Intrust Super Cup ladder. 

Club CEO Hannan Laban said his boys have a real chance of making the finals.

Coach Michael Marum said the team is focusing on one game at a time, and are equally tough.

They were hard at training on Tuesday afternoon, in preparation for their first of the final five matches they have left in the 2019 ISC season.

Coach Marum said they are taking one game at time, with the aim to finish the season on a high.

“We got five games left; two home games and five away games. It’s a big ask for the boys, but the remaining games are tough against the top sides.”

Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was present during Tuesday’s training and met the team and staff of the SP PNG Hunters.

He presented skipper Meninga his 50^th Cup game award.

Meninga told media that being given the award by Sir Michael just pays off all the hard work he has put into his rugby career over the past three years.

“I made a lot of sacrifices and getting this award from the father of the nation is something I will always remember. After my footy career, I will have a story to tell.”

Assistant Coach Roderick Puname said the boys need to apply some consistency to the way they play in round 17 of the Intrust Super Cup.

“We stick to consistency with the Falcons. Hold on to the ball, complete sets and getting that kick.”

Coach Puname said last week, the Hunters registered just 30 percent of kicking precision; besides that they did not have enough mental capacity to stay ahead of the match, and succumbed to defeat in the second half.

The match will be held at the Oil Search National Football Stadium on Sunday.

Meninga made his debut as Hunter No. 48 in Round 1 against CQ Capras in Brisbane on March 4, 2017.

Former Captain Ase Boas played his 100th Intrust Super Cup game for the SP Hunters against Northern Pride in last Sunday's Round 15 loss to Northern Pride in Cairns.

Within five minutes of the round 12 match, the Dolphins’ Nathan Watts effortlessly registered his team’s first try of the evening, thanks to a lack of communication between Hunters defenders.

A conversion by Bryce Donovan saw the hosts take a 6-point lead.

Thirteen minutes in and the visitors responded through Gairo Kapana, who flew over the right wing to ground the ball. However, an unsuccessful conversion by Nick Hasu left the scores at 4-6.

Nineteen minutes in and Brendon Gotuno was unable to stop a barreling Jeremy Hawkins from pushing his way over the line.

The match will be underway here at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.

Bland Abavu will now shift to the wing in place of Junior Rau who is sick.

The SP Hunters will also be without the services of the injured Junior Rop.

Dilbert Isaac takes his position at lock.

Hunters coach, Michael Marum said the final 18 will be confirmed at the Captain’s Run this Saturday.