2019 Intrust Super Cup

This round of the Intrust Super Cup competition will be played this weekend in Cairns.

The other debutant, Brendon Nima, who did not play last Saturday in the Pacific Test loss to Samoa, has been released to attend to personal family issues in Goroka.

Butler Morris gets a call up to the starting side after some impressive performances for the Lae Snax Tigers.

The 20-man team is:

1. Terry Wapi

2. Junior Rau

3. Adex Wera

4. Daniel Tapol

5. Butler Morris

6. Ase Boas

7. Nick Hasu

8. Moses Meninga ©

The Hunters, along with the Redcliffe Dolphins and the CQ Capras, currently sit at the bottom of the ladder, having only won a match each.

The Hunters desperately need to win matches to stay within range of the top 8 for a chance to make the finals with 16 rounds of football remaining.

The PNG side will have to shake off the loss quickly as they take on third-placed Burleigh Bears on Thursday at Pizzey Park in the Gold Coast.

The hosts of Langlands Park walked off with a 30-14 win this afternoon in Brisbane.

It was a game of missed opportunities for the SP Hunters as the Tigers capitalised on their every misstep.

Eleven minutes into first half and Brandon Downey registered the first four points for his team. A conversion by Aaron Booth made sure the hosts were 6 points ahead.

Six minutes later, Aaron Booth went in for the kill again. He then successfully converted for a 12-nil lead.

Boas replaces William Mone at halfback. Shane Haro, Kevin Appo and Epel Kapinias will make their debuts as Hunters numbers 74, 75 and 76 respectively, with Woods Kawage as Hunter no. 77 to come off the bench.

Joe Joshua, McKenzie Yei and Junior Rop were omitted for disciplinary reasons.

Jack Oii, Jerry Teme and Jordan Pat have been named on the extended bench.

The 20-man squad is:

It was the SP Hunters’ best performance so far in the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season as they conceded a 26-28 defeat to the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Dane Hogan from the visitors’ side registered the first try of the round three match, 12 minutes after the starting whistle.

The score was 6-nil until Junior Rau responded 4 minutes later, much to the relief of supporters at the National Football Stadium.

Charlie Simon’s conversion went off mark, with the scores at 4-6.  

Joe Joshua becomes Hunter No. 67, Brendon Nima (68), Gairo Kapana (69), Daniel Tapol (70) and Junior Rop (71) have been named in the starting line-up.

On the extended bench are Nicky Hasu and Joe Frank who become Hunters 72 and 73 respectively, if named in the final 18 man travelling team.

Adex Wera will lead the side for the first time and will be playing his 101st ISC game for the SP Hunters.

Joe Joshua becomes Hunter No. 67, Brendon Nima (68), Gairo Kapana (69), Daniel Tapol (70) and Junior Rop (71) have been named in the starting line-up.

On the extended bench are Nicky Hasu and Joe Frank who become Hunters 72 and 73 respectively, if named in the final 18 man travelling team.

Adex Wera will lead the side for the first time and will be playing his 101st ISC game for the SP Hunters.

For the first time, the coaching staff has decided to retain 31 players for the Intrust Super Cup competition.

They started off with 60 members in the train-on squad last year.

The team was eventually trimmed down to 32 players, who resumed pre-season training on January 7^th.

Despite the initial announcement of further cutting down to a final squad of 25 or 26, coach Michael Marum opted instead to retain 31 players, which is by far the largest number since the club’s inception in 2014.

PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau said the 2019 ISC draws released yesterday were endorsed at the last CEOs meeting in Brisbane last month.

Rau stated the 12 home games include the Country week round. However, the venue for next year’s Country week game against Easts Tigers should be finalised by May.

The 14 team Intrust Super Cup 2019 competition kicks off on the weekend of March 9 and 10 with the SP Hunters playing Tweed Heads Seagulls away in Piggabeen Sports Complex in Brisbane.