The much-anticipated SP Hunters and Brisbane Broncos pre-season ‘trial’ match has been called off.
PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau said the Brisbane Broncos management and new coach Anthony Seibold cancelled the ‘trials’ last weekend.
“The trial was former coach Wayne Bennet’s plans,” Rau said. “However when new coach Anthony Seibold took the reins last December, he and his staff and management had their priorities and the trial match against the SP Hunters was not one of them,” Rau said.
Rau said initially it was suggested that a Broncos development squad would come to Port Moresby to take on the SP Hunters.
“Last weekend they decided that no Broncos team would travel up,” Rau said.
He said it was disappointing news but they respect that decision and the match against the Brisbane Broncos scheduled for February 23, 2019, in Port Moresby is now officially cancelled.
Coach Michael Marum said the SP Hunters will not have a pre- season trial match this season and will now prepare for the first round match against Tweed Heads Seagulls in Brisbane on March 10th, 2019.
“We can’t do much about it,” Marum said. “Other ISC clubs offered to host a ‘trial’ in Brisbane but the logistics and costs involved to arrange this at this stage is enormous.
“Therefore we will not have a ‘trial match’ but prepare as well as we can for the first game on March 10,” Marum said.
(PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau)