The SP PNG Hunters will play two trial matches to begin their 2020 campaign in the Intrust Super Cup.
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.
“We lead into the pre-season with two trial matches, so we have a trial match here before the NRL against the Central Queensland Capras, and then the following week in Cairns we are playing the Northern Pride, which will give us a great platform heading into the season, which I believe that we did not have any trial matches this year, so this gives us a good start to our preparations into the 2020 season,” said Church.
A 40-man pre-season squad was announced on Friday.
“We will do a four-week block until Christmas, will finish around the 23rd (December), just before Christmas and send them on a break just before Christmas and give them a bit of homework to do, and then hopefully everyone comes back willing to start fresh on Monday 6th January.”
Church has had a look at the Hunters’ previous schedules and will bring in some new ideas to the franchise.
“I had a brief meeting with Solomon yesterday, and went through what they have gone through in pre-seasons past. I’ve got a schedule myself and probably in the next few days I’ll distribute that to the staff so they can have a look.
“There will be some changes for what I’m seeing and they are just little teaks and minor so I’m not re-inventing the wheel,” added Church.
The pre-season squad:
1 Junior Rau
2 Stanton Albert
3 Baundo Aba
4 Illa Alu
5 Dilbert Issac
6 Enock Maki
7 Patrick Morea
8 Ase Boas
9 Gairo Kapana
10 Epel Kapinias
11 Shane Haro
12 Kevin Appo
13 Junior Rop
14 Joe Frank
15 Brendan Nima
16 Nick Hasu
17 Justin Yoka
18 Jerry Teme
19 Roy Ellison
20 Woods Kawage
21 Terry Wapi
22 Smith Siviri
23 Sailas Gahuna
24 Willie Minoga
25 John Stanley
26 Sani Wabo
27 Gilmo Paul
28 Emmanuel Waine
29 Francis Takai
30 Solomon Pukari
31 Allan Simbiri
32 Stanford Talita
33 Mark Piti
34 Charlie Simon
35 Joe Joshua
36 Messac Wallen
37 Stanley Olo
38 Benji Kot
39 Garry Lo
40 Rhadley Brawa
All 40 players will go into camp in Port Moresby on Monday, November 25.
(PNGRFL picture)