WHEN Papua New Guinea went through the group stage of the 2000 World Cup undefeated (including wins over France and Tonga), it appeared rugby league’s most passionate nation was on the verge of international significance. Since then they have failed to win a game in the past two World Cups and have lost their past seven Test matches but as they prepare to host World Cup matches for the first time in PNG next year, there is hope on the horizon. The introduction of the Papua New Guinea SP Hunters to Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup has exposed a greater number of players to regular competition at a high level and showcased them to NRL and Super League clubs who have come calling. Now contracted to the Canberra Raiders, Kato Ottio is believed to be close to an NRL start after some strong displays in the Intrust Super NSW Premiership and Rod Griffin has graduated from the Ipswich Jets to a full-time contract with the Wests Tigers. The return of David Mead to the Kumuls colours gives the team a major boost, with Nene Macdonald, Luke Page and Kurt Baptiste also boasting NRL experience. Semi-finalists at the 2013 World Cup, Fiji go into this game without Korbin Sims and Jayson Bukuya, due to suspension, and Marika Koroibete, Viliame Kikau and Apisai Koroisau due to injury. They will rely heavily on the experience of Kevin Naiqama, Akuila Uate and Sisa Waqa out wide and young forwards Kane Evans, Daniel Saifiti and Eloni Vunakece. Both teams are guaranteed passage into next year’s World Cup, but with few opportunities to play Test matches, need to start building now. Fiji are currently ranked seventh in the world and the Kumuls 14th (behind Serbia, Italy and Canada) but this represents a chance for PNG to show there is now little between them. Watch out Bati: The threat posed by David Mead, pictured, at fullback is obvious to anyone who has watched the Titans play this season but one player, who Fiji need to be particularly wary of, is crafty hooker Wartovo Puara. A member of the PNG Hunters team that qualified for the Intrust Super Cup semi-finals in their second season last year, Puara is small in stature but big in footy smarts and is capable of causing havoc around the ruck with his speed off the mark. If the big Fiji forwards start to slow up, he’s the man that can take advantage. Watch out Kumuls: It’s been three years since Sisa Waqa last represented Fiji at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and with his move to French rugby now less than two months away, he’ll be keen to go out with a bang. An enigmatic player with 95 NRL games to his name, Waqa has been forced to bide his time in NSW Cup with the Raiders this season but will no doubt have something special planned in what will likely be his final game for the Bati. He’s never scored a try in four Tests with Fiji; that might change on Saturday night. Key match-up: Kane Evans v Luke Page. The loss of Korbin Sims through suspension puts further pressure on Roosters prop Kane Evans to lead the way up front and while he will tower over the PNG pack, he faces a willing combatant in Luke Page. Having spent time with both Canberra and St George Illawarra in the past two seasons, Page is a ferocious runner of the footy, who will push off the back fence at Pirtek Stadium before charging into the Fijian defence. When these two big boppers collide, it will rock the foundations and inspire their teammates around them. History: Last year’s Pacific Test represented the first meeting between these two island nations, with Fiji running out 22-10 victors over a Papua New Guinea team boasting only two players with NRL experience at the time. While Fiji have steadily climbed the international rugby league ranks, the Kumuls have gone the other way, losing all seven of their most recent Test matches. Match officials: Referee: Robert Hicks; Touch Judges: Russell Turner and Tim Roby; Review Officials: Bryan Norrie and Jason Robinson; Senior RO: Ashley Klein. Televised: EM TV – Live 5.30pm. Odds: Sports Bet – Kumuls A$2.85 (K6.90)/Bati A$1.40 (K3.40). The way NRL.com sees it: Despite bookmakers giving a big edge to Fiji at $1.40 (K3.40) compared to PNG’s A$2.85 (K6.90), the key outs of Sims and Bukuya level up the NRL experience within the two sides considerably and bring PNG right into the contest. More Kumuls players than ever before are training and playing at a high level and with David Mead at fullback have a class player in a key position. Fiji’s greatest advantage comes up front where they have a host of towering props who will challenge the PNG defence but the Kumuls are used to playing well above their weight. The combination of brothers Ase and Watson Boas in the halves might just be enough for PNG to cause the upset. Kumuls by six points. – NRL.com The debutants take their place after strong performances in the club’s only trial game against the Northern Pride last Friday which the Hunters won 46-24. Stargroth Amean, Kato Ottio, David Lapua, Henry Wan, Enoch Maki, Bland Abavu, Ase Boas, Warren Glare and Atte Bina Wabo will play their first official match for the Hunters this weekend. Kumul World Cup players Maki and Boas, are two players expected to feature prominently on Sunday given their previous international experience. Coach Michael Marum announced the team on Tuesday after being notified that Lawrence Tu’u had been cited for a Grade 3 dangerous throw against the Pride. “Lawrence has carry-over points from a similar incident late last year and will miss the first six games of the season,” Marum said. “It’s unfortunate for him but he will no doubt be itching to get back into the team when he is cleared to play.” Marum said the Hunters management would contest the charge to have the penalty lessened to three or four weeks. Despite having four players out with injury, Marum named a strong line-up for the season opener. “The boys performed well against the Pride last Friday and I have full confidence in this group to get the job done,” Marum said. “The opening game of the season is always important to get away to a good start.” Unavailable for selection due to injury include Sebastian Pandia (broken arm), Adex Wera (wrist), Noel Zeming (groin), Timothy Lomai (groin). The only player not included in the 18 is forward Jayjay Garrison. Israel Eliab will captain the side. Hunters: 1. Stargroth Amean, 2. David Lapua, 3. Thompson Teteh, 4. Kato Ottio, 5. Edward Goma, 6. Israel Eliab (c), 7. Roger Laka, 8. Enoch Maki, 9. Wartovo Puara Jr,10. Henry Wan, 11. Willie Minoga,12. Brandy Peter, 13. Adam Korave; Interchange:14. Ase Boas, 15. Esau Siune, 16. Atte Bina Wabo, 17. Bland Abavu, 18. Warren Glare (one to be omitted) Fixtures: Round 1, Sat, Mar 7 — Ipswich Jets vs Wynnum Manly, Townsville Blackhawks vs Mackay Cutters, Sunshine Coast Falcons vs Norths Devils; Sun, Mar 8 Easts Tigers vs Northern Pride Redcliffe Dolphins vs Tweed Heads Seagulls, Souths Logan Magpies vs PNG Hunters, CQ Capras vs Burleigh Bears FORMER Kumul winger and inter-city cup star Arnold Krewanty says the Hunters training camp has started off well and the vibe in the 28-man squad is positive.
Krewanty, who is the Hunters team manager, reaffirmed what coach Michael Marum said from Kokopo earlier this week, that training had gone well for the returning players and the new recruits. “The mood is really good in the camp at the moment. “The boys are just getting into the programme and I can tell they are enjoying it but at the same time, they are serious about their training,” Krewanty said. “All I can say is the feeling in the camp with the mixture of old and new players is ‘wanbel’ (satisfactory), everyone is on the same page. “They know what they have to do and they are doing their best to meet the standards set by Michael and head trainer Jason Tassell.” Krewanty said the new recruits were still getting used to the regime and settling in but the enthusiasm they were showing at training and the interaction with the senior players was adding to the team dynamic. With Marum expected to retain the 28 for the start of the preseason training after the Christmas break Krewanty said every player had certainly done their best to fit in since the offseason camp started last month. Only two players have left the original 30-man squad named last month. Tau Fitzgerald was released to pursue a trial with the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney and Sam Koim pulled out to complete his law degree this year. THE PNG Hunters have ruled out the possibility of switching some home games to Barlow Park in 2015 if work on their new Port Moresby base is not completed.
The Cairns Post understands the QRL had preliminary talks over suitable alternative venues for the fledgling Hunters should work on their new home stadium be delayed. PNG will play Intrust Super Cup matches out of Kokopo’s Kalabond Oval – their 2014 home ground – in the early rounds of next season. Work is currently being done on two Port Moresby venues – Sir Hubert Murray Stadium and Sir John Guise Stadium – and they are expected to be available to use from June. However, it’s understood the Hunters were eyeing all contingency plans – including the break glass option of hosting matches at Barlow Park – should there be any delays. But Hunters CEO Brad Tassell has denied his club would be taking home games out of the country. “It was probably something we looked at a long time ago but no, there are no plans (to take games to Barlow Park),” Tassell said. “We probably looked at it ages ago when the club was still waiting to get the green light to come into the comp and get a licence. “But we were happy with Kokopo last season. And if everything goes to plan we will be playing out of Port Moresby by June. “Either way, we definitely won’t be playing any games at Barlow Park.” The club’s round 18 game against Barlow Park occupants the Northern Pride drew a ground-record 4390 fans, underpinned by the strong PNG population in the Far North. The possibility of switching matches to Cairns could be rich money-spinners for the Hunters given the certainty of a big local crowd to watch the ISC’s ultimate entertainers. The modest Kalabond Oval has always been deemed a stopgap option until the club was able to shift full-time to Port Moresby. There have previously been concerns over the availability of Kalabond Oval given the extra travel demands required to reach Kokopo. Tassell, formerly a member of the Pride support staff, said he was hopeful of making further strides with PNG rugby league in 2015. After starting brightly, the Hunters faded throughout a gruelling campaign to finish sixth – just a point out of the top five. “We had a good year and we’re definitely starting to see some real benefits,” he said. “We have got a few new local players coming into the squad next year. “It’s a lot of work but I’m really enjoying the challenge.” Like the Pride, it will be a new-look Hunters in 2015 following the departure of some stars, including Gary Lo and Jason Tali to UK lower league outfit Gateshead. Winger Lo affirmed his reputation as an ISC star when he produced a four-try blitz against the Pride last season. Cairns Post "Newbies in the Hunters Train on Side with the noticeable absence of Garry Lo....."
A 28- ‐member train on squad will take part in the off- ‐season camp with the squad to be trimmed at the completion of the camp: Off- ‐season training camp squad is: Adex Wera Adam Korave Brandy Peter Edward Goma Israel Eliab Lawrence Tu’u Noel Zemming Roger Laka Sebastine Pandia Thompson Teteh Timothy Lomai Wartovo Puara Willie Minoga Stanton Albert Dion Aiye Esau Siune George Benson Kato Ottio Henry Wan Enoch Maki David Lapua Stargoth Amen Warren Glare Atte Bina Wabo Ase Boas Jay Jay Garison Bland Abavu Philemon Kimsive |
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Round 1 SP PNG Hunters 16 Mackay Cutters 10 Round 1 Mackay Cutters vs SP PNG Hunters ISC Ladder after Round 6DisclaimerThis is NOT the Hunters Official website and we do not represent them.
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