PNG SP Hunters

Tenza has again worked really hard during off-season to impress Coach, Stanley Tepend and now part of the remaining Hunters 30-man squad for this year’s Hostplus Cup season.

Between 2014 and 2021 Weza Tenza although under-rated was one of the most dangerous dummy halves in the Digicel Cup competition. His quick bursts out of dummy and deceptive foot work has been his trademark for years but as the saying goes” good things come to those who wait”.

Round 1 of both competitions, Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership is locked in for March 11.

The Western Clydesdales are building strong momentum heading into their first season in the Hostplus Cup as a new entity.

The Clydesdales launched their 2023 campaign with a home clash against the Papua New Guinea Hunters at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

In the BMD Premiership, the Cutters are drawn to play the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and the Devils go up against perennial powerhouse the Burleigh Bears in the opening weekend of fixtures.

Culligan who was also part of the 2021-22 preseason camp, however, due to studies did not make the final squad.

While opportunities may come once, for Wigmen’s captain Valentine Culligan getting  a 2^nd chance to make it back into PNG Hunters training squad was a blessing and on merit after leading his team to another gutsy premiership title win in 2022.

The new squad has been beefed up with a number of returning Hunters and some new faces who are ready to take the opportunity.

From the present Hunters preseason squad, Coach Stanley Tepend would be banking on the experience and leadership of senior Hunters boys and several marquee players picked from the Digicel Cup competition to take ownership of the new playing group and lead from the front.

The PNG Hunters are delighted to announce that QRL has given approval for the home games. The homecoming will coincide with the SP PNG Hunters’ Round 20 Hostplus Cup fixture with Mackay Cutters at the Santos National Football Stadium on Sunday, 27 August.

PNG Hunters CEO, Scott Barker has welcomed the news.

“We have been working tirelessly with the QRL over the last few months to bring the Hunters home and it’s exciting to see that become a reality next week.

Bire was admitted to hospital on June 15 after falling ill at the start of a weights session with the Hunters. He was diagnosed with a serious heart problem that would require urgent, lifesaving surgery.

Surgery was performed on the evening of June 15 by a specialist team. The operation lasted for approximately nine hours. Bire spent several days in an induced coma before being transferred to the cardiac rehabilitation ward at the hospital.

The athletes and officials, which included women’s weightlifting silver medallist, Dika Toua, and her teammates, members of the athletics, lawn bowls and swimming teams made the journey North armed with PNG flags and banners and a lot of noise.

They met with Hunters coach, Michael Marum, and the players after the match before heading back to the Gold Coast.

After two consecutive losses playing away, the 32-18 victory has put the Hunters back on track, says coach Michael Marum.

“It was good to get a win back at home after two losses away so it was good for our confidence.”

However, Marum conceded it was a scrappy win from his team.

“There were a lot of mistakes but it’s something we can work on.

“We’re slowly working on our combinations. We’ll review the game at our video session and go through everything there.”

Captain and five-eighth Ase Boas agreed with the coach.

This afternoon at the Oil Search National Football Stadium, the Seagulls had the possession early on, forcing the Hunters to defend under pressure.

But the Hunters survived and a penalty carried them out of their own half and into Seagulls territory.

Good vision by captain and five-eighth Ase Boas led to the first try, with Boas spreading it out wide for a flying Edene Gabbie to score first points in the 12th minute.

The Hunters’ good start was nearly all undone when Brendon Gotuno dropped the ball from the restart.