​SP PNG Hunters Co Captain Noel Zeming and versatile back Adex Wera have been recalled for this Sunday’s top of the table clash against Redcliffe Dolphins at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday May 1st at 3pm.
This weekend will also see forward Esau Siune play his 50th Intrust Super Cup game for the SP Hunters. Siune joins Wartovo Puara Jnr and Adex Wera to achieve this milestone. Wartovo Puara Jnr reverts back to hooker while Watson Boas returns to join brother Ase in the halves. Timothy Lomai has also been named in the starting line up to partner co-captain Adam Korave in the back row.
Coach Michael Marum announced his side to meet Redcliffe Dolphins upon arrival from Brisbane today following their two points loss to the Burleigh Bears in the Anzac Day clash yesterday.
Marum said the loss has pushed the Hunters to 3rd spot with Redcliffe moving to 2nd spot on points differential after beating Easts Tigers in a thrilling 28-26 victory. He said this is a must win game as the Hunters will be on a bye for the next two weeks.
“After Sunday’s game against Redcliffe will be the representative round when the Pacific Test between the PNG LNG Kumuls and Fiji Batis will play in Sydney the following weekend. The Hunters are on bye in Round 10,” Marum said.
This weekend’s match will see both teams play for the annual Stan Joyce Cup – named after SP Brewery managing director Stan Joyce to remember the Hunters first ever win in the Intrust Super Cup match against the Dolphins in Brisbane in 2014.
Tickets are being sold at all Big Rooster outlets in the city – K50 for grandstand and K25 for outer stands.
The team is:
1. Adex WERA
2. Bland ABAVU
3. Noel ZEMING (Co-Capt)
4. Thompson TETEH
5. Justin OLAM
6. Ase BOAS
7. Watson BOAS
8. Henryy NOKI
9. Wartovo PUARA Jnr
10. Esau SIUNE
11. Timoty LOMAI
12. Adam KORAVE (Co-Capt)
13. Brandy PETER
14. Warren GLARE
15. Enoch MAKI
16. Benjamin HETRA
17. Edward GOMA
18. Stargroth AMEAN

​A stunning come-back from behind performance gave the   PNG Hunters a dramatic 38-22 win over Norths Devils in round 7 Intrust Super Cup clash in Port Moresby a short while ago. 


The Norths Devils stunned the home crowd  with  three  quick tries  in the first quarter of the game to take the lead 16 - 0.

Backed by the cheering home crowd of 11 000, the Hunters regrouped and  scored through halfback Atte Bino. Captain Zeming  sent the ball between the uprights to trail 16 - 6.  In the next play, Hunters full back Adex Wera celebrated his 50 games with the Hunters  with a try   after a good backline ball movement . Zemings converted the try to reduce the margin to 16 - 12.  Hunters new boy, Benjamin Hetra leveled the score four minutes to half-time 16-16 and a conversion by Zeming resulted in Hunters taking the lead 18-16 at half time.


The home side opened the second half with a penalty kick to extend the lead to 20 - 16.  The visitors regrouped and came back firing scoring their fourth try to take over  the lead 22 - 20 . 

The Hunters replied with a try from sensational winger and crowd favourite Justin Olam . Zeming added the extras and the Hunters took over the lead 26 - 22 again. 

From that time on, the Hunters outplayed the Devils  in attack and in goal line defence. Thomson Teteh extended the lead 18 minutes to full-time with a 90-metre runaway try that game the Hunters comfortable lead at 30-22. Another try from Hunters through enforcer Adam  Korave took the lead  36-22.

The Hunters sealed the game with a penalty kick  five minutes into full time.

The Hunters won 38 - 22 on full time.

​THE Papua New Guinea Hunters take on a Townsville Blackhawks side featuring National Rugby League talent on Sunday in Port Moresby.
The match, which kicks off at 3pm at the National Football Stadium, was rescheduled from its original 7.30pm, Saturday time slot to ensure more fans turned up to the 15,000 capacity venue.
The Blackhawks made an impact in their debut last year by reaching the Intrust Super Cup grand final and, based on their form in their inaugural season, were expected to lift the trophy but were beaten by an in-form Ipswich Jets.
The Blackhawks arsenal features an array of veteran NRL players as well as those who have tasted football in the arguably the world’s best competition.
Captain Glenn Hall has 220 NRL games under his belt, having played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Manly Sea Eagles, Sydney Roosters — and of course — the North Queensland Cowboys.
Joining Glenn in the front row as hooker is Anthony Mitchell, who has played 39 games in the NRL for three teams — the Parramatta Eels, Sydney Roosters and the North Queensland Cowboys. 
Mitchell has represented the Indigenous All Stars on two occasions. 
Other NRL representatives in the Blackhawks line-up include Jahrome Hughes (Gold Coast Titans), Jonathon Reuben (Sydney Roosters), DelouiseHoeter (Wests Tigers) and Lorenzo Ma’afu (Canterbury Bulldogs).
Current North Queensland Cowboys squad members Kyle Laybutt and Jahrome Hughes add to the experience in the side while Kumul back-rower Rhyse Martin returns to PNG for the Blackhawks. 
Former Hunters impact forward Willie Minoga returns to Port Moresby to play against his former teammates for the first time since signing on with the Blackhawks at the end of last season.
There is a chance that ex-Kumul captain, Neville Costigan, might make the trip, giving the Blackhawks an intimidating forward pack.
With both the Blackhawks and the SP Hunters being the new Q-Cup teams on the block, both clubs would like nothing better to having bragging rights over who is the better team.
The Blackhawks arrive in Port Moresby on Saturday.

​The National / PNG Hunters Supporters Club

​PNG SP Hunters coach Michael Marum on arrival at the Jackson International Airport yesterday was pleased with the team’s outstanding performance after beating the Mackay Cutters on Saturday.

"We are happy with our win and the team spirit is high at the moment," said Marum.

He said there is still a lot of room for improvement in defence and indicated that their new halves combination of Watson Boas and Wartovo Puara Jr guided their attack well to win the game.

When asked about maintaining the current line-up for this weekend’s game, Marum said it will all be determined by how well the players recover from minor injuries, suspension and their efforts during training.

Boas said there was a bit of pressure at the start but as soon they completed their sets well, his combination with Puara Jr grew with confidence.

Warren Glare was also pleased to take up the role in the dummy half, a position that he isn’t new to, despite starting this year in the second-row.

"I was a bit nervous at first but as soon as the game’s momentum kicked in, everything just fell in line, especially in distributing the ball to the forwards and also the backs," added Glare.

Puara Jr said their win was a result of a good team effort and having to improve in their offence.

The Hunters will now play the Townsville Blackhawks with former Hunter Willie Minoga expected to be given a rousing welcome at the National Football Stadium this Sunday. Post Courier