Intrust Super Cup

Meninga replaces Ila Alu, who suffered an ankle injury during the first half of Sunday’s encounter against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

The 20 man squad is:

1. Edene GABBIE
2. Junior RAU
3. Thompson TETEH
4. Willie MINOGA
5. Brendon GOTUNO
6. Ase BOAS        -              Captain
7. Watson BOAS
8. Enock MAKI
9. Wartovo PUARA Jnr
10. Stanton ALBERT
11. Nixon PUT
12. Rhadley BRAWA
13. Moses MENINGA

Interchange

The Intrust Super Cup round 15 match was a challenging one for both teams as their strengths seemed to match at every turn at the North Ipswich Reserve.

However, things started looking up for the Jets 10 minutes into the game when Wes Conlon scored a penalty goal for the team.

This seemed to be the break that the host team needed as Seb Pandia goes over the line for the first try of the match.

Marmin Barba successfully converted the try, leaving the score at 8-0.

The Hunters were not to be outdone as they relentlessly charged at the Jets’ defence.

Four wins from 10 games (three at home and one away) has put the defending premiers on eight points, with a points difference of -42.

With the wind in their sails, the Hunters will be aiming to make it three consecutive wins when they take on the Townsville Blackhawks this Sunday at the Oil Search National Football Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.

The standings after round 11:

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.

Out of five games, the Hunters have only won two, which have been home games. The defending premiers are yet to win away, having lost all three games.

This has put them on four competition points with a points difference of -14.

Round six will see the Hunters play away this weekend against the Redcliffe Dolphins at Dolphin Stadium, Australia. The match will start at 6pm.

The current standings:

Coach Michael Marum said it was made official last night when the players put pen to paper.

He added the team is ready for this season.

“Training resumed last Thursday and we are preparing for the pre-season trial match against NRL giants Brisbane Broncos.

“We want to put up a good performance against the Broncos and try out new combinations as well as give the new players some experience,” said coach Marum.

The 29-man squad (in alphabetical order) is:

1.         Baundo Aba                -           Enga Mioks

The 24 man train-on squad were given a break on December 23 for the festive season and in three days’ time will be back to the grind to see who will make the final cut for the 2018 season in the Intrust Super Cup.

The current SP Hunters players – Ase Boas, Watson Boas, Wartovo Puara, Stanton Albert, Nixon Put, Moses Meninga, Enock Maki, Stargroth Amean and Willie Minoga will resume training on Thursday as well.

The final squad will be named by mid- January.

The ‘big bird’ steadily glided onto the tarmac, as waiting supporters and fans braved the sun to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

The players were the last to leave the plane after all the passengers on board disembarked.

After going through the formalities and customs clearance, the Hunters led by Skipper and captain Ase Boas walked out with the trophy to the waiting fans.

It was a mixture of feelings as they were received by Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, and the other leaders at the Airport ceremonial venue.

A welcome ceremony has been planned at the Airport Ceremonial Park.

The Hunters will arrive on an Air Niugini flight PX 004 from Brisbane, Australia.

The SP Hunters made history on Sunday afternoon-beating the Sunshine Coast Falcons 12-10 in the Intrust Super Grand final at Suncorp Stadium, Australia.

The win was sealed two minutes out from full time with a try from Willie Minoga off an Ase Boas grubber.

The win was sealed two minutes out from full time with a try from Willie Minoga off an Ase Boas grubber.

The Hunters found themselves behind on the scoreboard after only two minutes when some second man play from the Falcons on the halfway line created space out wide for Matthew Soper-Lawler to race away and score.

The Falcons were in again four minutes later after a short ball from Ryley Jacks send a charging Joe Stimson over the line.

Stimson then added the extras to extend the Falcons lead.