Wynnum Manly Seagulls

They chased down a 22-point lead and almost coming away with the result in a 28-24 loss to the Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Saturday afternoon.

The form the Hunters displayed in this game was in complete contrast to their Round 9 performance the previous week.

In picturesque conditions at BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday afternoon, the Hunters embraced the lively Wynnum crowd and their intent was evident from the kick-off. The PNG side worked into attacking field position confidently with just their second possession and looked dangerous with the ball until some resolute Seagulls’ defence forced the first error of the match.

Talita joins the Gulls from the Hela Wigmen in the Papua New Guinea Digicel Cup competition where he was their captain and led the team to the 2020 premiership.

The 26-year old strike centre has been one of the leading players in the Digicel Cup and represented Papua New Guinea at the Rugby League World Cup 9s in 2019.

Seagulls CEO Hanan Laban says Talita will be one to watch this season.

“Stanford has been a star in the Digicel Cup and we are very fortunate to bring him to Wynnum,” Laban said.

Epel was signed up by the Seagulls in February this year however his travel was delayed while awaiting visa clearance.

Before joining the Seagulls squad last month, Epel had been hard at training with the Rabaul Agmark Gurias to keep himself fit and ready for the new season.

After missing the first 3 rounds of the Hostplus Cup, Epel got his first opportunity to don the red and green colors on Sunday against Dolphins.

The middle forward from Rabaul in Papua New Guinea has played the past three seasons for the PNG Hunters in the Hostplus Cup.

The 24-year old has also represented Papua New Guinea at the Commonwealth Championships Under 23s Nines competition in 2018.

Seagulls Coach Adam Brideson says he is excited about what Kapinias can offer the club this season.

“Epel is an experienced middle forward at Hostplus Cup level,” Brideson said.

“He is a strong athlete with good skills and will add a lot to our forward pack.

Both teams had to contend with a swirling wind that made fielding kicks hard, but the match was still high quality and intense.

Norths Devils coach Rohan Smith was full of emotion following the win which meant so much to him.

"I am just so proud of the whole squad, club, everyone who has contributed," Smith said.

"I don't know if there's another word to say how proud I am.

"I just love this club, I love the people involved.

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.

Rhadley Brawa is currently on break but is excitedly looking forward to resuming training with his new club – the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

The former SP Hunters superstar never once dreamt that he would be part of an NRL feeder club this early in his career.

The 28-year-old, from a mixed parentage of Teremanda in Enga, and Sinesine in Simbu, was both surprised and humbled when he was informed by the SP Hunters coaching staff that the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, a Broncos feeder club, was interested in him.

They played their final home game with their usual grand final approach, keeping the crowd on its feet until the final whistle.

An all-round solid performance by the SP PNG Hunters ensured their 40-16 victory over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Just 1 minute into the round 23 match and senior player Wartovo Puara Jnr wasted no time in crossing over the visitors’ try line.

10 minutes later, an energetic Eddene Gebbie followed suit, bringing the already excited crowd to its feet.

Captain Ase Boas converted the try for a 10-point lead.

This is the first away game they have won coming out from a bye and a devastating 5^th loss against the Burleigh Bears a week ago.

It was probably the line-up that Hunters head coach Michael Marum did to give his side a fighting chance away from home.

Neck-to-neck with three tries to each side, the Hunters had the upper hand with an extra two points from a successful penalty.