SP PNG Hunters

SP Hunters thrash Seagulls 40-16

They played their final home game with their usual grand final approach, keeping the crowd on its feet until the final whistle.

An all-round solid performance by the SP PNG Hunters ensured their 40-16 victory over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Just 1 minute into the round 23 match and senior player Wartovo Puara Jnr wasted no time in crossing over the visitors’ try line.

10 minutes later, an energetic Eddene Gebbie followed suit, bringing the already excited crowd to its feet.

Captain Ase Boas converted the try for a 10-point lead.

SP Brewery announces 18-man squad

During today’s announcement, SP Brewery managing director, Stan Joyce, said they had always believed in the Hunters.

As the official sponsors of the SP PNG Hunters, it was only right for SP Brewery to make the team announcement.

Managing director Joyce said the ride was quite rough during the beginning of the season, but then again, nothing in life is perfect.

“But what is perfect is if you really do believe in yourself, and you do find good leadership and keep the game alive and keep the belief in yourself,” he said.

Focused on final home game

The SP PNG Hunters are now on solid ground and focused on winning their final home game in front of their loved ones and supporters this Sunday.

When the team started training early this year, half of the Hunters squad was made up of newcomers.

It took a while for Coach Michael Marum to establish their strengths and weaknesses.

“By mid-season I knew which players were going to be left out and which players we were going to rely on,” stated Marum.

“We were just waiting on the right time to start winning those games.”

Watson Boas perseveres

The younger of the Boas brothers had suffered a shoulder injury during their round 21 clash against the Souths Logan Magpies on August 5th.

After their encounter with the Souths Logan Magpies at Davies Park, 24-year-old Watson returned to PNG the following day with his arm in a sling.

A concerned Coach Michael Marum said he would be taken to x-ray as soon as possible.

Errors identified, Hunters to start work

After their arrival yesterday (Aug 13), Coach Michael Marum spoke to the media saying, the team started off weak and finished on the same footing in New South Wales.

Though he was pleased with the team’s performance at the Piggabeen Sports Complex, Coach Marum was not one to mince words, as he said the team will be focusing on these minor hiccups as they prepare to meet the Wynnum Manly Seagulls this weekend.

Hunters maintain ranking

The Hunters have steadily moved up the rungs after winning their last 5 games.

Their winning streak started in round 18 when they played against the Northern Pride on July 15th.

After securing a 10-point victory, the Hunters took on the Norths Devils in Lae on July 22nd during the round 19 country week game.

Playing for the first time in PNG’s second largest city, and in front of over 10,000 people, the Hunters trampled the Devils 32-10.

Back at the National Football Stadium, the Hunters mauled the Burleigh Bears 20-10 in round 20.

Hunters dominate in round 22

The PNG boys beat the Tweed Heads Seagulls 22-18 in New South Wales.

The Seagulls came on strong in the opening minutes of the Intrust Super Cup round 22 match with a try through Alex Grant.

An unsuccessful conversion left the scores at 0-4 until 13 minutes into the game and Kody Parsons put another one past the Hunters’ try line.

Rex Johnson converted the try for a 10-point lead.

5 minutes later, a flying Adex Wera responded and a successful conversion by captain Ase Boas narrowed the score margin.

Hunters' line up remain unchanged

Head Coach Michael Marum said he will undergo further tests, with hopes he can cleared for this Sunday’s match against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

The SP PNG Hunters proved a class above the Magpies in Round 21 of the Queensland ISC competition; payback for the loss they suffered 14 matches ago.

Unfortunately, Watson Boas has suffered a right shoulder injury.

While he’s been named in the Round 22 clash against the Seagulls this weekend, Head Coach Michael Marum says the injury was a little more serious than he had initially thought.

Hunters maintain focus on defense

Hukula said Coach Michael Marum has been emphasizing on line speed, which the team has been successfully implementing.

Line speed involves players or defenders working together as a straight line.

Discrepancies in speed will create gaps that the attacking team can easily exploit.

The SP PNG Hunters have won their past 4 games because of strong defense. 

Speaking to this newsroom after their round 21 match in Brisbane, SP PNG Hunters Assistant Coach, Nigel Hukula, said: “It was good to see consistency over the last couple of weeks, in particular with defense.

Coach Marum impressed

He mentioned this after their arrival at the Jackson’s International Airport this afternoon.

It was a great win yesterday and the SP PNG Hunters have achieved their goal of getting into the top 6.

Coach Michael Marum said though there were a lot of errors during the game, the boys had defended well.

“We’re focusing on our defense all throughout the past 3 or 4 weeks,” he stated.

“In the last 4 games we only allowed our opposition to score not more than 2 tries.”