The SP PNG Hunters have dropped to the bottom of the ladder after registering yet another loss in their round 4 match against the Easts Tigers.
The Tigers defeated the Hunters 30-14 at Langlands Park, Brisbane, on Saturday.
Overeagerness by the PNG side gave rise to unnecessary errors and penalties, opening the door for the Tigers to stroll through.
Nine changes made from the round 3 lineup could also be a factor in the team’s performance. The changes include the return of former captain Ase Boas, who replaced William Mone at halfback, and the obvious absence of the three disciplined players: Joe Joshua, Junior Rop and McKenzie Yei.
The omission of the trio saw four players debut on the 30th of March, and they are Shane Haro (Hunter 74), Kevin Appo (Hunter 75), Epel Kapinias (Hunter 76) and Woods Kawage (Hunter 77), who came off the bench.
The experimental PNG side has now dropped to the 14th rung while the unbeaten Tigers are in first place.
However, as Coach Michael Marum said, it will only get better as seasoned players like Boas, Stanton Albert and captain Adex Wera familiarise themselves with their new teammates.
For round 5 of the Intrust Super Cup competition, the Hunters will take on the 7th-placed Norths Devils on Saturday at Bishop Park.
(Photo: QRL Media)