Hostplus Cup

The final squad will resume training this weekend of which 20 are returning Hunters from the 2023 playing group.

Over 40 players were part of Block One of the preseason training camp which ran for six to eight weeks before breaking camp for the festive season.

Round 1 of next year’s competition kicks off on the weekend of March 9-10, with 150 regular season matches to be played over six months before the start of the finals series in September.

All 15 clubs will play 20 games across 24 rounds in the fight to qualify for the top eight and ultimately the 2024 grand final at Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium.

The Tigers held off the Bears 22-18 in a hard-fought grand final match.

Matthew Church, who was the Coach for SP PNG Hunters from 2020 – 2022, steered the Brisbane Tigers to premiership glory in his first year at the club.

Tigers registered first on the scoreboard through Prop Tristan Powell 12 minutes into the game and Tigers took the early lead with a successful conversion. However, the lead was short-lived when the Bears Tony Francis crossed the line twice to give his side a lead 8 – 6 with missed conversions.

The Port Moresby crowd were treated to an entertaining and see-sawing contest on Saturday, 5^th August as the Hunters and Dolphins traded blows from the kick-off. 

It was the Hunters who started fastest, with their key players having positive involvements in the opening exchanges. Jamie Mavoko’s boot found the corners early on and slowly won the battle for his team. In good ball handling, Judah Rimbu craft from behind the ruck where he linked smartly with Junior Rop to compress the defence around the ball. 

Tigers proved too good over the Hunters at Totally Workwear Stadium on Sunday, as the home team posted a 32-18 victory.

But it didn't come easily for the Tigers, with a desperate Hunters outfit racing out to a 12-0 lead within the opening 11 minutes through Rodrick Tai and Solo Wane.

With the Hunters' finals hopes on the line, they went into the break up 12-4 - with Brisbane's sole first-half try coming through centre Solomona Faataape.

The break have given the Hunters enough room for more work outs to maintain the momentum they built over their last five fixtures. Hunters will look to return to the winner’s circle when they face the Brisbane Tigers on Sunday, 30^th July at Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane. 

The Round 17 match kicks off at 3pm (PNG time) at the National Football Stadium.
 
After navigating a difficult start to the year, the Hunters have been at their best over the last month. Working through the 2023 regular season, building on their combinations and growing in confidence each week.  
 

The heaving home crowd was treating to a stop-and-start contest to begin the match on Saturday afternoon as both sides traded blows in yardage.  
 
The Capras discipline was poor in the early stages, conceding penalties for dissent and making unforced errors to give the Hunters the advantage in the territory battle.  
 

The Hunters will return to the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday, 10th June to host the Western Clydsedales in Round 13 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. 

The match kicks off at 3pm with Saturday’s fixture the third of four consecutive home games. The Hunters are expected to use home crowd advantage for a victory but this won’t come easy. 

Hunters Head Coach, Stanley Tepend acknowledged the disruption caused by a series of injuries and suspensions, but is excited for the opportunities those changes present.  

Running out to a packed home crowed at the Santos National Football, the Hunters had everything to play for and they rose to the occasion. Despite conceding first points through experienced NRL halfback Toby Sexton, the Hunters held their nerve to quickly drag the game into a grind.