SP PNG Hunters

Hunters to leave for Lae this afternoon

For the first time in four years, a Hunters match is being played outside of Port Moresby.

The SP PNG Hunters will be in Lae for only a few days, but their schedule is fully booked.

The Lae and Bumayong secondary schools, including Markham primary, are in for a treat, as the Hunters, including the Enga Mioks and Lae Snax Tigers, will be visiting them on Friday morning.

The teams and their staff will also call into the Angau General Hospital.

After that a coaching clinic for local club and teachers will be hosted at the Lae Rugby League ground.

Hunters round 18 recap

The Hunters were brutal in both defense and attack in a match which had a finals feel.

The boot of Hunters Captain Ase Boas was the difference as he slotted in two conversions and three penalty goals for a 10-point win.

It was a physical encounter from the get go with both teams testing each other’s defense and attack.

It wasn’t until the 26th minute when Adex Wera scored off a fifth last grubber from Watson Boas.

The Pride would hit back 7 minutes later when an unmarked Brett Anderson catches a Jack Campagnolo kick to score.

ISC country week tickets on sale starting Tuesday

PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau said the tickets will be on sale from 9am tomorrow (Tuesday) at Brian Bell and Foodmart in Lae and Andersons at Eriku.

He said the cost per ticket is K50.

“This covers all the stands and the grass areas at the Lae Rugby League ground,” Rau said.

He added the cost covers everybody from young to old. “Every person that enters the ground, whether a child or adult must purchase a ticket. There is no separate price for children,” Rau added.

Hunters’ line-up maintained despite loss

The line-up has been maintained despite their eight-point loss to Redcliffe Dolphins on Sunday.

Sailas Gahuna is the only addition to the extended bench in place of William Mone.

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. 11. Nixon PUT
  12. Rhadley BRAWA
  13. Moses MENINGA

Interchange

Hunters were not determined to win: Coach

Speaking at the post-match conference after the round 17 clash, a disappointed coach Marum admitted that more work needs to be done before their next game.

Though the Dolphins were the first to record a try in yesterday’s match at the National Football Stadium, the SP PNG Hunters came from behind to lead 14-12 at half-time.

However, a return from second half saw the visiting team dominate the game, resulting in an 8-point margin win for them.

“We had all the opportunity, we had the wind behind us…the attitude of the players was just not good,” said Marum.

Hunters defeated in home game

High from their round 16 win against the Falcons, the Hunters were looking to win this home game but unfortunately, the third-placed Dolphins proved to be too strong.

Just 3 minutes into the round 17 Intrust Super Cup clash and the Dolphins’ captain, Cameron Cullen, weaved through Hunters defenders at the 40-metre mark and scored the first try of the match.

Meninga named in starting line-up

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

Hunters move up 1 spot

Previously the 11th out of 14 teams, the 2017 premiers are now in 10th place and are determined to make it to the top.

It was the 2 points that the team was aiming for.

Prior to Sunday’s round 16 clash, Coach Michael Marum expressed the team’s intention to win all their home games, as a victory is worth 2 points.

With the Falcon’s win under their belts, the Hunters now have 4 home games left.

“The plan is to get one game at a time. We don’t look at the other games,” said coach Marum.

Weak play in first half: Marum

In a post-match conference yesterday, Hunters coach Michael Marum admitted that the first half saw weak play by the PNG boys.

It was a sluggish start for the Hunters in the first half of the round 16 Intrust Super Cup match.

The boys were still finding their feet 2 minutes into the game when the Falcons easily put one over the line.

After the first try of the match, it took almost 32 minutes for the Hunters to find their rhythm.

“It’s a bit hard when you’re playing sides like the Falcons; they’re in your face every day,” stated coach Marum.

Hunters’ hard work pays off

The Hunters came from behind to claim a 24-12 victory in the round 16 clash of the Intrust Super Cup competition.

The SP PNG Hunters had anticipated a tough encounter against the 7th-placed Falcons, who were 4 spots ahead of the Hunters after round 15.

The Falcons were the first to score through Jacob Hind, which was successfully converted by Ryan Papenhuyzen.

The score remained at 6-0 until Captain Ase Boas broke the ice 34 minutes into the first half.

A successful conversion from his brother Watson levelled the field for the team.