National Football Stadium

The Hunters took a 30-0 lead at the break but only managed two tries in the second to win the home game at the National Football Stadium.

The Hunters opened the scoring in the second half through a set play that saw fullback Bland Abavu score.

The Tigers muscled up in defence, determined not to leak any more points.

This allowed them to dominate possession midway through the game.

It took over an hour but the Tigers were finally rewarded with a try in the 62nd minute when Dane Chang crashed over on the wing.

It starts at 12pm when the PRK Gulf Isapea take on the Digicel Cup competition leaders, the Snax Lae Tigers.

Following this will be the round 20 clash of the Intrust Super Cup between the SP Hunters and the Easts Tigers. This game will kick off at 3pm.

Straight after this game, the Wamp NGA Mt. Hagen Eagles will lock horns with the Stop N Shop Port Moresby Vipers at 5pm.

This was announced by coach of the SP Hunters, Michael Marum at this afternoon's training session.

He explained that Watson Boas is still out injured for another week which has put Puara in to call the shots at number 7.

In Puara's place at hooker will be Warren Glare who has been moved into the starting line up.

He added Tuvi Lepan, Nickson Borana and Philimon Kimisive are still out with injuries and so rest of the team remains unchanged.

"Atte Bina Wabo is the 18th man while Gahuna Silas is on the bench.

The kick off at the National Football Stadium was done by Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko.

Present during the ceremony were PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka and Digicel PNG CEO Maurice McCarthy.

The crowd of close to 3000 fans and supporters is seated at the main grandstand area.

Other four matches are also underway at other centres, including Kokopo, Goroka and Mendi.

They’re Mendi Muruks, Rabaul Gurias, Goroka Lahanis, Vipers, Enga Mioks, Mt Hagen Eagles, Gulf Isapea, TNA Lions, Hela Wigmen, Waghi Tumbe and Lae Snax Tigers.

The official kick off will get underway at 3pm at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. The event will see Moresby Vipers take on Gulf Isapea.

This is the first time a Digicel Cup match will be played at the new stadium that caters for over 15,000 people.

This is the Hunters first home game for the season, that will kick off at 6:30pm at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby and will be telecast live on TVWAN Sports.

Co-captain Adam Korave will play his first game for the year after being added to the bench following suspension.

Adex Wera and Atte Bine will also return from suspension for the first home game this season for the Hunters.

Hunters  are confident of a better challenge after winning two of their away games and are currently running second on the Intrust Cup ladder.

The news was announced this afternoon in a press conference at the NFS.

In attendance was Oil Executive General Manager External & Government Affairs and Sustainability, Gerea Aopi, Hunters Chairman, Graham Osborne, coach Michael Marum, Sports Minister, Justin Tkatchenko and PNG Rugby Football League Chairman, Sandis Tsaka.

Marum expressed his delight at the news saying the players and management were also very excited about having the world class stadium to call home.

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Penrith Panthers applaud new stadium

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Panther Jamie Soward branded the facility as world class, even better than most rugby league playing grounds in Australia.

Soward kicked two conversions to help his team to victory against SP PNG Hunters 20-12 in the trial match at NFS on Saturday.

He said his team was honored and had a fantastic experience opening the stadium.

“The new stadium looks great and it is true that the facilities meet the standard of NRL stadiums and even better than some of the rugby league grounds in Australia.

The fence at the grand stand was damaged by fans who wanted to meet the New South Wales Penrith Panthers players after the game.

Fans rushed the waist high fence forcing it to give way.

Security guards quickly stepped in and cordoned off the area.

A diehard fan and resident of Tete settlement, Philip Rex who witnessed the damaged from the outer stand facing the field towards Bisini couldn't believe what he saw.

He said the stadium was built to international standards but how could this happen?