Central Queensland Capras

Into his second year in the Hostplus Cup, 24-year-old Rodrick Tai who is one of the four Kumul players that joined the Dolphins,ran out onto the field, and managed to score a try for the Dolphins.

Before the trial, Tai stated that last year was a big year for him.

“To make the Hunters squad, play a lot of games, then go to the World Cup and to get to come here, it’s been a very big year. I’m just stoked. I cannot believe it. It’s been good”.

Just a week after beating the then third-ranked side in Wynnum Manly the Hunters couldn’t back it up against another top team on Sunday in the Capras, who ran in 11 tries to four in a dominant attacking display.
Despite how the scoreboard read at fulltime, both teams started the game with a clear defensive mindset as they traded shots at the other’s line.

The Hunters will ride a wave of confidence into this weekend’s contest, having produced their best performance of the season last week against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls to win 36-22.

There were some notable changes to the Hunters’ squad who won that game – namely a new halves pairing of Kingstimer Paraia and Judah Rimbu, and skipper Keven Appo’s move from edge forward to lock – but the most significant difference between the Hunters’ of Round 14 and the 2022 season as a whole was their intent and aggression on both sides of the ball. 

Their 28-10 victory at McIndoe Park, in Emerald, ensured the boys left the fourteenth rung behind in the Intrust Super Cup competition.

The SP Hunters came out firing from the start, making up for the missed opportunities from their first five matches.

Though it was the Capras' 500th Intrust Super Cup game, the PNG boys left no stone unturned as they put points on the scoreboard in the first 10 minutes of the round 6 match.

The Capras drew first blood two minutes into the game with a try through Maipele Morseau.

Connor Broadhurst lined up near the sideline and with the wind behind him, found his mark to extend their lead by 6 points.

10 minutes into the round 24 clash and Wartovo Puara Jnr managed to ground a loose ball off the foot of captain Ase Boas.

Unfortunately, Watson Boas’ kick was wide off mark.

5 minutes later and the Capras responded with another try through winger Chanel Seigafo, who fleeted past a huddle of confused Hunters defenders for his team’s second try.

Less than 2 minutes into the game and the CQ Capras shocked the Hunters with an early try.

Centre Connor Broadhurst passed the ball to Junior Kirisome, who wasted no time in flying over the line.

An unsuccessful conversion by Broadhurst left the score at 4-nil.

11 minutes later, a dummy from Wartovo Puara Jnr created an opportunity for Rhadley Brawa, who leveled the playing field with 4-4.

The Hunters then took a 6-4 lead after a successful conversion by captain Ase Boas.

In a press conference today, coach Marum said the only addition is Edene Gabbie on the extended bench.

The 20-man squad is:

1. Adex WERA
2. Junior RAU
3. Thompson TETEH
4. Willie MINOGA
5. Butler MORRIS
6. Ase BOAS                    -            Captain
7. Watson BOAS
8. Enock MAKI
9. Wartovo PUARA JNR
10. Dilbert ISAAC
11. Nixon PUT
12. Ila ALU
13. Rhadley BRAWA

Interchange

He was listed ahead of Stanton Albert for this Sunday’s Round 17 clash against Central Queensland Capras at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

Hunters coach Michael Marum said vice-captain Wellington Albert, who sat out last weekend’s match due to suspension, returns to the side and joins younger brother Stanton as well as Enock Maki and David Loko on the extended bench.

He said Adex Wera has been omitted due to injury, allowing Willie Minoga back to the centres while Stargroth Amean will start on the wing.

Four tries to the Capras in the first half gave them a 20-4 lead at the break.

The Hunters put themselves right back into the game when utility Noel Zeming crossed over to score two minutes into the second half.

Zeming converted his own try to narrow the deficit to 20-10.

The Hunters continued to put pressure on the Capras defence, launching wave after wave of attack threatening to score more points.

This turned into points in the 61^st minute when quick hands on the fifth tackle produced an overlap for winger Adex Wera to score out wide.

The Capras hit the lead in only the first minute of play.

The home side got their second try in the 13^th minute when a short ball from Matt Minto to William Cullen put him into space to run over and score.

Minto converted to make it 10-0.

It was all one-way traffic as the Capras scored right from the kick off after a cross kick from Minto found a flying Maipele Morseu, who caught the ball and scored under the posts.