sp hunters

Hunters 2023 season launched

The event took place in front of all corporate sponsors including naming rights sponsor SP Brewery and other major partners.

It’s a long time between drinks for the Hunters players, coaching staff and management to mingle and embrace with representatives from the various major corporate sponsors, partners, the media and friends.

Tepend gives players opportunity

PNG Hunters Coach Stanley Tepend has announced that he’ll be giving everybody the opportunity to take field before he confirms his first 17-man for the season opener on March 11.

While intensity at training has been maintained, the team is now focusing more on real game situation with more opposed sessions.

Coach Tepend has vowed to use next week’s trial match against the CQ Capras as an ideal opportunity for the boys to step up and get a first taste of what to expect and how they can handle pressure at the Queensland Cup level.

Kumuls Return To Training

The players were allowed a couple of weeks off for recovery; and on Coach Tepend’s list are two members of the original Hunters team currently undergoing rehab.  

From the six Hunters players picked for this year’s RLWC only four are back in camp. Rodrick Tai, Emmauel Waine, Sherwin Tanabi and Weza Tenza while Hunters co-Captains Keven Apo and prop Sylvester Namo have secured contracts overseas.

Today’s training session also had a few surprises.

Alu influences youths

His passion, humility and charisma to engage with youths in the suburb is overwhelming.

The 27-year-old Simbu-Central mix rocket dynamo, Alu has become the stalwart of the PNG Hunters. 

His love and passion for the game, leadership quality and influence that he brings to the playing group is second to none.

Back in Tokarara, Alu’s passion is not only for rugby league but to be a role model and an agent of change for the younger generation is strong. He trains many youths who play in the Hohola off-season league where he started his early rugby league.

David Loko named in starting lineup

Original SP Hunter Garry Lo and Willie Minoga have been named on the extended bench.

Brendon Gotuno has been handed a one match suspension by the QRL Judiciary for a dangerous throw during last weekend’s loss to Townsville Blackhawks. He has been replaced by Bland Abavu.

The other wing sees Roy Ellison play his second ISC game after making his debut at the country week round 18 game in Wabag. He replaces of Junior Rau, who has been released to attend to personal issues.

The 20-man squad is:

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Hunters settle for draw

A strong forwards performance laid the platform for the Hunters’ comeback from a 24 – 16 half time score.

Woods Kawage opened the scoring in the first minute after a knock on by the Tigers.

The visitors responded immediately, when a fifth last kick finding Bill Cullen for a 6 – 4 lead.

The Tigers went back to back when Sam Lavea scored after some quick play.

After a Tigers’ mistake, the Hunters put in some enterprising play to put Justin Yoka over to score and reduce the Tigers’ lead to two points.

Wabag to host ISC country round

PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau said today that after an inspection by Coach Michael Marum early this week, Queensland Rugby League gave its approval late yesterday.

“Queensland Rugby League’s (QRL) ISC competition manager Dave Maiden confirmed late on Tuesday upon recommendations by Coach Michael Marum that outstanding issues, in particular the condition of the playing surface after his visit at the end of May, have met the requirements set and the game would proceed as scheduled,” Rau stated.

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PNG Hunters’ comeback stifled

Despite showing determination to come back from a 12-point deficit to lock the scores in the 57th minute, the Cutters proved too strong, delivering the crucial blow to beat the Hunters at home.

The Hunters were the first to post points following a penalty in front of the Cutters’ posts, with Ase Boas slotting over the ball in the second minute for a 2-nil lead.

Four minutes in, Adex Wera would accelerate through a gap and fends off a Cutters defender to run 30 metres for 6 – 0 lead.

2 terminated from Hunters

SP Hunters have also announced that William Mone and Jack Oii have been released from camp indefinitely.

As a result, Adex Wera and Brendon Gotuno have been named in the starting line-up for this Sunday’s Intrust Super Cup Round 9 clash against Townsville Blackhawks in Port Moresby.

Patrick Morea starts at hooker while Justin Yoka, Dilbert Isaac, Wawa Paul and Rex Kaupa have been named on the extended bench.

The 20 man squad is:

1. Bland ABAVU

2. Junior RAU

3. Adex WERA

4. Brendon NIMA

5. Brendon GOTUNO

6. Ase BOAS

SP Hunters round 6 lineup

Last weekend's debutant and Hunter Number 78, Jerry Teme, starts at halfback with Ase Boas moving to five-eighth.

Recalled to the side are Bland Abavu and vice-captain Moses Meninga.

Charlie Simon returns to the extended bench with Stanton Albert, Captain Adex Wera and Gairo Kapana.

The 20-man squad is: