SP PNG Hunters

It was an unsuccessful afternoon for the boys as they were defeated 30-12 at the Tigers’ home ground.

The Hunters, led by stand-in captain Wartovo Puara Jnr, were the first to register 2 points from a penalty goal, thanks to Watson Boas.

However, a Scott Drinkwater (captain) pass to Linc Port a few minutes later saw the Tigers extend their lead to 4-2.

Successful conversion by Brodie Croft added another 2 points for the Tigers.

Michael Marum’s side has never won a match against Easts Tigers at Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park, Brisbane, and are hopeful to break that spell on Saturday.

Coach Marum admits the match ahead will be a tough one.

“We’ve never won a game against them in Suzuki Oval, Langlands. The last time we played against them, we drew,” said Coach Marum. 

Coming back from a home game win on Sunday, Hunters have had a short week of training but are riding on the success of the 3 consecutive wins.

The SP PNG Hunters are determined to maintain the momentum this weekend.

There was not much separating the two sides at half-time with the visitors in front at 4-0 after a Ty Carucci try in the 15th minute.

Whatever Michael Marum said in the sheds worked.

The Hunters came firing off the block in the second half and found the try line in just five minutes through Junior Rau who raced fifty metres to score under the posts.

The kicking duties were left to halfback Watson Boas who booted the Hunters to the lead.

Less than 2 minutes into the game and the CQ Capras shocked the Hunters with an early try.

Centre Connor Broadhurst passed the ball to Junior Kirisome, who wasted no time in flying over the line.

An unsuccessful conversion by Broadhurst left the score at 4-nil.

11 minutes later, a dummy from Wartovo Puara Jnr created an opportunity for Rhadley Brawa, who leveled the playing field with 4-4.

The Hunters then took a 6-4 lead after a successful conversion by captain Ase Boas.

PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau and SP PNG Hunters chairman Graham Osborne signed the deal with Jack’s of PNG manager for corporate business, Yogesh Samy, at Jack’s Retail in Port Moresby today.

The deal gear, which will have the SP Hunters and PNG Kumuls logos on them, will come in all sizes for men, women and children.

“The PNGRFL partnered with Jack’s of PNG in 2017 and the revenue outcome was immense; they decided to sign another contract, this time for 3 years,” Rau said.

In a press conference today, coach Marum said the only addition is Edene Gabbie on the extended bench.

The 20-man squad is:

1. Adex WERA
2. Junior RAU
3. Thompson TETEH
4. Willie MINOGA
5. Butler MORRIS
6. Ase BOAS                    -            Captain
7. Watson BOAS
8. Enock MAKI
9. Wartovo PUARA JNR
10. Dilbert ISAAC
11. Nixon PUT
12. Ila ALU
13. Rhadley BRAWA

Interchange

This is the first away game they have won coming out from a bye and a devastating 5^th loss against the Burleigh Bears a week ago.

It was probably the line-up that Hunters head coach Michael Marum did to give his side a fighting chance away from home.

Neck-to-neck with three tries to each side, the Hunters had the upper hand with an extra two points from a successful penalty.

The Hunters are hoping for an away win this time, with Thompson Teteh making a comeback in the Hunters camp, and Captain Ase Boas to add confidence to the boys this weekend.

The SP Hunters take on Wynnum Manly in Round 10 of the Intrust Super Cup match on Sunday May 13, 2018 at 3pm, at the BMD Kougari oval in Brisbane.

Head coach Michael Marum has finalised the 18 man travelling team to Brisbane tomorrow.

Dilbert Isaac gets a start at prop with Ila Alu named to partner Put in the second row.

Thompson Teteh has made the Hunters camp, for a one year stint.

He recently signed the contract and has been named in this weekend’s line-up against the Wynum Manly Seagulls.

Teteh played for the played for the Redcliffe Dolphins during the 2017 ISC season.

Teteh was excited to be given another opportunity to represent PNG.

Today the boys lost their fifth away game to the Burleigh Bears at Pizzey Park, who sit comfortably in first place with 14 points

Bears proved too tough for the defending champs, sealing the match with a 34-18 scoreline after Round 8.

The Adex Wera and Rhadley Brawa captained side locked horns with their toughest competitors yet, despite scoring their first and second through Junior Rau and Wera.

It was 12-10 at halftime.

Returning for second half, the Hunters managed another try through Butler Morris to put them ahead of the Bears.