SP PNG Hunters

The Port Moresby crowd were treated to an entertaining and see-sawing contest on Saturday, 5^th August as the Hunters and Dolphins traded blows from the kick-off. 

It was the Hunters who started fastest, with their key players having positive involvements in the opening exchanges. Jamie Mavoko’s boot found the corners early on and slowly won the battle for his team. In good ball handling, Judah Rimbu craft from behind the ruck where he linked smartly with Junior Rop to compress the defence around the ball. 

While there are positives to take from that loss, the SP PNG Hunters continue to show resilience and commitment in their work ethics. While ill-discipline has been an issue sometimes.

This Saturday they face the might of top ranked side, Redcliff Dolphins in another do or die situation.

The Hunters did everything right in the opening quarter last week and only need to replicate those efforts to be a chance against the 4th placed Dolphins.

Tigers proved too good over the Hunters at Totally Workwear Stadium on Sunday, as the home team posted a 32-18 victory.

But it didn't come easily for the Tigers, with a desperate Hunters outfit racing out to a 12-0 lead within the opening 11 minutes through Rodrick Tai and Solo Wane.

With the Hunters' finals hopes on the line, they went into the break up 12-4 - with Brisbane's sole first-half try coming through centre Solomona Faataape.

The break have given the Hunters enough room for more work outs to maintain the momentum they built over their last five fixtures. Hunters will look to return to the winner’s circle when they face the Brisbane Tigers on Sunday, 30^th July at Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane. 

Education and work opportunities become crucial for the players to pursue further studies. The recent tour of the Lihir Gold mine and the training centre was a learning experience, and an introduction to learning opportunities for the players.

PNG Hunters CEO Scott Barker, when summing up the Hunters Lihir trip, reemphasized the importance of what the Hunters program is all about, including opportunities to study after football.

The trip, sponsored by Newcrest Mining, will be a first for the Hunters, presenting an opportunity to visit one of the world’s largest tier-one gold mining operations. The Hunters are on bye the following weekend.

Whilst at Lihir the team will tour the geothermally active mine site and processing plant, witness a blasting operation at the mine pit and meet the workforce.

The Hunters will also participate in safety and leadership sessions with the workforce and the Lihir Rugby Football League Association, and run on-field coaching sessions with local students.

The Round 17 match kicks off at 3pm (PNG time) at the National Football Stadium.
 
After navigating a difficult start to the year, the Hunters have been at their best over the last month. Working through the 2023 regular season, building on their combinations and growing in confidence each week.  
 

The heaving home crowd was treating to a stop-and-start contest to begin the match on Saturday afternoon as both sides traded blows in yardage.  
 
The Capras discipline was poor in the early stages, conceding penalties for dissent and making unforced errors to give the Hunters the advantage in the territory battle.  
 

Despite coming off a recent loss to premiership leaders Souths Logan last weekend, the Hunters will bring plenty of confidence into this weekend’s fixture following a promising block of games over the last month.  
 
A stretch of four straight home games at the Santos National Football Stadium gave the Hunters a great opportunity to build into the season. Two big wins over the Tweed Seagulls and Western Clydesdales backed up a narrow loss to finals bound club the Northern Pride and followed by a tough blow against the Magpies.  
 

The Hunters will return to the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday, 10th June to host the Western Clydsedales in Round 13 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. 

The match kicks off at 3pm with Saturday’s fixture the third of four consecutive home games. The Hunters are expected to use home crowd advantage for a victory but this won’t come easy. 

Hunters Head Coach, Stanley Tepend acknowledged the disruption caused by a series of injuries and suspensions, but is excited for the opportunities those changes present.