Willie Minoga

They were introduced to the Barrow Raiders fans and home crowd at half time during the club's first pre-season match against Oldham rugby league side at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium.

Although the home side lost to the visiting Oldham Rugby League Club side 24-11, head coach Paul Crarey is confident in the side’s prospects in the 2019 season with the inclusion of the PNG talents into the side.

All three PNG internationals have settled in well and are already into training.

Willie Minoga, Wartovo Puara Jnr, and Stargroth Amean will be flown to join the club in Cumbria under the Supporters Trust of the club.

But that is not all.

According to the Barrow Raiders the Supporters Trust have offered to help with the costs of furnishing their future home.

All three players have been successful in obtaining a visa.

Flights have been booked for Thursday 10th January, with the trio arriving in Manchester on Friday lunchtime. 

At a captain's training run this afternoon at the Guildford League's club, the Hunters were in great spirits.

Tomorrow's curtain raiser clash against the Penrith Panthers is just one more hurdle to jump before the Hunters wrap up their 2017 season.

Willie Minoga, David Loko and Wartovo Puara Jnr all had a good run this afternoon.

Skipper Ase Boas was out to get his kicking game right while brother Watson Boas is well and fit to play after being stretched off the field at Suncorp last week.

The match will be at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

Hunters coach Michael Marum explained that Adex Wera moves to the centres to replace Willie Minoga, who will start off the bench.

He added Lawrence Tu’u, Muka Peter Kulu, Karo Kauna Jnr and Noel Joel have been named on the extended 20-man squad.

Marum said he is awaiting a decision from the QRL Judiciary on Wellington Albert who was cited for a dangerous tackle during last Sunday’s 12-8 win over the South Logan Magpies.

Loko has been ruled out with an ankle injury sustained during last Saturday’s impressive win over Ipswich Jets.

Coach Michael Marum said Minoga will start at second row against his old team after serving a two match suspension.

Named in the 20-man squad is Brandy Peter.

Marum also took the opportunity to thank Air Niugini for putting up the Air Niugini Cup that will now be played between the two teams annually, starting this Sunday.

NGCB PM’s XIII coach Michael Marum said: “It's a big match as we'll be up against a team that is very experienced as well as being technically good players, especially in the attacking department”.

However, the PNG team is going through the basic stuff that are the core of the game.

“We look forward to mark the Australians man to man with Justin Olam, being too good in this season to go on face to face with Australia’s Greg Inglis, and Willie Minoga, who is the only Australian-based player to make it to PNG, will face the tough Australian forwards,” coach Marum said.