SP PNG Hunters

The former Guria and PNG LNG Kumul decided to join the Sepik team in the hope of using his experience to boost the standard of domestic rugby league competition in the country.

"For me to go down at the Digicel Cup level, I can see the big difference in the level of game between Digicel Cup and QRL Hostplus,” Puara said. "And for me to go down there, I can help the boys in the competition there using my experience so once they come to Hunters, they're ready for that level and we can see improvement in our SP Hunters team.”

The sponsorship is supported by 3 of WRC PNGs brands – Boroko Motors, Globe and National No1. WRC Carpenters committed to six Nissan Navara vehicles, one 15-seater bus and two 25-seater buses through sponsorship period. These vehicles will aid team mobility to high performance pre-season training and regular season transfer.

To signify the partnership commencement, on Thursday 23^rd March WR Carpenters Group Motors presented the first Nissan Navara.

The match crunch time is set for 6:30pm.

After pulling off an impressive win against the Western Clydesdales 20-10 last weekend, Coach Stanley Tepend says while last week’s result was promising, the players are focused.  

“That was our first Cup game as a group last week and we took a lot of positives from that,” he said 

The Hunters will play out the 2023 season on home soil for the first time in almost three years, having been relocated to the Gold Coast in seasons ‘21 and ‘22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The anticipation of bringing Queensland Cup rugby league back to Port Moresby is a driving force for the Hunters this year but they will have to play without the home ground advantage on Sunday when they meet the Clydesdales in Toowoomba.

Season 2023 is shaping as a new era for the Hunters with a new coaching staff and a host of changes to the playing squad.

The match will be played to honour both cultures. It’s a second attempt by the Pacific nations to get the match off the ground.

The 2022 Melanesian Bowl was to be played on Queensland’s Gold Coast last February but was cancelled due to severe weather.

The accompanying social function bringing together staff, players, officials and supporters of both the Hunters and Silktails did go ahead, helping to cement the relationship between the two Melanesian-heritage clubs, who are both supported by the Federal Government’s PacificAus Sports program.

The mixed Central-Simbu native who’s had a roller coaster run at the QRL competition, is confident the team is ready to compete this year.

As the new Hostplus Cup season nears, team bonding in the Hunters camp is crucial to building rapport and confidence among the playing group. Since the sudden departure of senior players from the team over the past week, Hunters mainstay and most senior player, Ila Alu plays a big role in keeping the boys level headed and focused on their preparations for the season.

The Hunters trial matches were organized and played using the tri-series format. Hunters played Port Moresby Vipers in the first half and then took on the Gulf Isou in the second half.

While Hunters Head Coach Stanley Tepend and assistant Paul Aiton, watched from the sideline, yesterday’s trials gives them a better perspective of players skill level, how they work through their set pieces in attack and their defensive system, likewise game structure and staying consistent under fatigue was also crucial especially competing at the QRL level.

The Jiwaka native who made a move to join the East New Britain franchise Gurias last season was just the impetus, he needed to get a second shot at making the Hunters, after missing out
in 2019.

Voted Five-eight of the Year at the 2022 Digicel Cup Awards Night, Saki believes it’s a divine blessing from above making the Hunters final cut. It was second time lucky for him, after falling
short of making the team in 2019 under Matt Church.

He will try out combinations and game awareness, and how the boys can stay focused under fatigue and pressure.

That’s the strategy to get the team mentally and physically ready before they play Capras.

After nine grueling weeks of preseason training, Tepend is impressed and excited with the prospects that the current squad can bring to the table this season.