SP PNG Hunters

​Despite the wet conditions, the first 20 minutes proved intriguing, with both teams displaying discipline and holding their defensive lines effectively.

However, on the 30th minute mark, the Ipswich Jets broke through with a try by Paul Iopu, taking the lead 4-0, although the conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

The PNG Hunters quickly retaliated with a try from Joshua Mire in the 34th minute. Sakias Komati’s successful conversion brought the score to 6-4 in favour of the Hunters by halftime.

Puara Jnr’s team had the last laugh at the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday, with Team White prevailing 22-10 at full-time.

The much anticipated Hunters inter trial was a culmination of two grueling months of pre-season training which started back in Nov-Dec 2023. 

He puts his best foot forward, hoping for a call-up to the Hunters' final 30-man squad for the 2024 QRL Season.

Following the footsteps of big brother and former Hunter Warren Glare, Finley  has had a fairytale start to his young rugby league career, headlined by his debut for the PNG Junior Kumuls against the Australian School Boys in September, last year.

After making a transition from rugby union to rugby league in 2020, young Koi played at the semi-professional level with Muruks and Vipers before joining up with the Gurias in the season 2023. Koi’s move to rugby league was inspired by his childhood idols, Glen Nami and Nigel Hukula from the Lahanis.

He said he used to idolize former Goroka Lahanis legends when growing up. They inspired him to take up rugby league.

They currently have 36 players in camp vying for spots in the final PNG Hunters 30-man squad for the 2024 QRL Hostplus season.

Pressure is now mounting on the players to put their best foot forward to impress the coaching staff before the final squad list is announced this week.

Coach Paul Aiton and his staff have organized opposed sessions for the past two weeks to assess and recap on what the boys have learnt since block one started in terms of structure, game management and execution which is starting to come together.

Lama, a loyal Muruks man with 3 seasons with the Southern Highlands franchise, is now relishing his opportunity to transit to the next level of his rugby league aspiration playing at the Queensland Cup level. He said this is a real privilege and honour.

After his inclusion into the initial Hunters pre-season training squad back in November/December last year, the young Mendi Muruks centre has taken the opportunity with both hands and remains optimistic of making the final cut, provided he stays injury-free before the final 30-man is announced after next week’s trial.

Since Block Two of the Hunters pre-season training program resumed three weeks ago, the final selection process continues this week using opposed sessions, which is crucial to see who makes the final cut.

The Hunters are polishing up on their moves and set pieces before they head to the next stage of their pre-season program.

2017 QRL Intrust Super Cup grand final team winning trio, dummy half Wartovo Puara Jnr, Winger Butler Morris and Prop Enoch Maki are back at training but in different capacities.

They are part of the new-look PNG Hunters Coaching team under Paul Aiton and are getting on well with the players.

After breaking preseason camp last year to team up with new franchise Sepik Pride for the 2023 Digicel Exxon Mobil Cup season, the Hunters prodigal son Puara, is happy to be back in the fold.

This collaboration is an integral part of the strategic partnership between the SP PNG Hunters and the Dolphins NRL club, intending to facilitate the entry of more local players from Papua New Guinea into the NRL competition.

Under the guidance of Waynen Bennett NRL’s coaching guru and Dolphins head coach, Rimbu and Kapinias commenced their training this week.

Over the next eight weeks of preseason, they will be working towards securing a full-time NRL contract.

The final squad will resume training this weekend of which 20 are returning Hunters from the 2023 playing group.

Over 40 players were part of Block One of the preseason training camp which ran for six to eight weeks before breaking camp for the festive season.