2018 PNG Hunters Draw for SEQ and Beyond + 2018 Season Summary So Far

The 2018 PNG Hunters Draw has been released for the big 2018 Intrust Super Cup season where they will defend their crown, and one of the big questions is whether the PNG Hunters can do it again. And can they start a rugby league dynasty for the ages at a stadium which is used to such winning longevity.

The next big question is whether you will be there to watch in 2018.

With the QRL releasing the full 2018 schedule, including the 2018 PNG Hunters Draw, you now have plenty of time to plan weddings, party or anything around the Hunters coming to town.

2017 saw not only the PNG Hunters break through for an historic Intrust Super Cup Grand Final, and after the great showing of some of the Hunters at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup for the Kumuls, 2018 promises to be just as big, and hopefully as successful.

It will be hard to beat the excitement of that big success at Suncorp Stadium, but a new season means new faces, and the wait to see who will be the next Willie Minoga or Stargroth Amean.

You can find out who the next generation are with the announcement of the 44 Man Training Squad for 2018. The new faces will join the Hunters and Kumuls players, and includes the former co-captain Adam Korave. The beauty of the PNG Hunters set up is that there are new players from the local competition every year, and we can’t wait to see who is new sensation will be.

To find out more, you’ll have to be at one of the games. And we have the list below, so get your pens and calendars ready, and loved ones on side for more Hunters action in 2018.

2018 PNG HUNTERS DRAW FOR SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

As great as it would be to see a home game in Port Moresby, living in South East Queensland makes it very hard. So says Channel Nein/QRL too as they are yet to broadcast there. So below are the games you can get to in South East Queensland. Don’t forget that PNG Hunters away games were on the QRL website via a Live Stream in 2017, so hopefully more of the same in 2018.

But here are the games you need to get to.

• Times could change due to TV broadcasting.

THE FULL 2018 PNG HUNTERS DRAW

For those not in South East Queensland, or just a genuine Hunters fan, here is the full 2018 PNG Hunters Draw.

2018 PNG HUNTERS SEASON SO FAR

Wondering how the PNG Hunters are going so far in 2018? Read on for a small match review on each game from our Best Of weekly reviews.

ROUND 23 – PNG HUNTERS 40 WYNNUM SEAGULLS 16

HUNTERS JUMP BACK AHEAD OF IPSWICH

PNG Hunters responded to the Jets win by enjoying a sizeable win of their own against the Wynnum Seagulls in their final home game of the season. Their 40-16 win sent them back into the top six, with a 2 point cushion between them and the Ipswich Jets in seventh. The Hunters sixth win in a row featured eight tries in all, four in each half, with Wynnum adding a little more respectability to the scoreline with two tries in the final ten minutes. Hooker Wartovo Puara scored in the first minute, and fullback Edene Gebbie had a first half double, and the Hunters were 20-6 to the good at half time. The good times continued for the home side in the second half with four more tries and were 40-6 to the good before Tweed scored two late tries in the last ten minutes.

ROUND 22 – PNG HUNTERS 22 TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS

2017 HOODOO TEAM DEFEATED

The PNG Hunters remain 6th after achieving something they were unable to do in the premiership season last year – beat the Tweed Heads Seagulls. It looked like 2017 all over again early too as the Seagulls raced out to a 10-0 lead by the 13th minute, but thankfully for the Hunters finals tilt they responded and led by half time 12-10. They skipped ahead after the break too, out to a 22-10 lead by the 61st minute, but Tweed Heads weren’t done and made it very interesting with two tries in the 67th and 72nd minutes. The Hunters held on, and can thank their superior goal kicking for getting home in the end.

ROUND 21 – PNG HUNTERS 18 SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 6

HUNTERS INTO TOP 6

The Hunters are in the top six thanks to a hard-fought 18-6 win at Davies Park against the Magpies. They won thanks to some outstanding goal line defense as they repelled multiple attacks on their, only succumbing the once in the second half. The Hunters only managed two tries themselves, but the end result was boosted by four penalty goals, in a game that had a few.

Read the full review of the game here – we were there.

ROUND 20 – PNG HUNTERS 20 BURLEIGH BEARS 10

HUNTERS KEEPING FINALS DREAM ALIVE

The PNG Hunters title defence continues with a great win over the Burleigh Bears in Port Moresby. Following on from the excellent win over the Norths Devils in Lae last weekend. That makes  three wins over top six sides in consecutive weeks.

Burleigh looked like they were going to spoil after going into the break leading 10-6 after their speedy winger Troy Leo had wrapped up a first half double. But that was all the scoring Burleigh were doing, as the Hunters scored three tries to nil in the second half to wrap up a vital two points which keeps them in the finals race. Both hookers Charlies Simon and Wartovo Puara scored, as did the experienced Thompson Teteh and Adex Wera in the centres.

This all means that the Hunters sit seventh on the same points as fifth placed Easts Tigers, and their 10 point win saw their for and against creep into the positive for the first time in a long time this season. The home record is improving, but it is the upcoming away fixtures that will determine finals football. HAppily they are hitting some good form, and they are yet to lose at next weekend’s venue – Davies Park. It seems like a few additions of experience along with a slight tweak in positions has made some difference to the reigning premiers. Just in time.

ROUND 19 – PNG HUNTERS 32 NORTHS DEVILS 10

PNG HUNTERS LAE DOWN A FINALS CHARGE MARKER

Playing in a location and atmosphere more akin to their earlier seasons playing out of the remote Kokopo, the change of location seemed to work it s magic as the Hunters secured a very good win over current top six side Norths Devils, who came into the weekend with a good winning running and recent record over the Hunters.

The Hunters got off to a good start too, and led all the way like they used to do when they were unbeatable in Papua New Guinea for several seasons. PNG opened the scoring up with penalty on 4 minutes, and the first try came after 13 minutes to their newly discovered fullback for 2018 – Edene Gebbie. It followed up ten minutes later with a quick two try burst in two minutes from Moses Meninga initially then a second for Gebbie. With perfect goal kicking and a fair chunk of the first half left, the Hunters were up 20-0.

Norths Devils got on the board in the 31st minute, which made the half time score 20-6, and threatened to make a game of it ten minutes after the break with their second try to leave the score 20-10. However it would be the last time that the Devils would trouble the scorers, as the versatile Hunter Charlie Simon scored in the 56th and 63rd minute to put the game away and two competition points in their pocket.

The Devils are now fifth, and are just two points ahead of a group of four chasing finals contenders, all of which have great claims to finals football. One of those is the PNG Hunters, the lowest ranked of the team on 20 points. Their for and against in the negative will count against them come season’s end, so the wins need to continue and so does the margin of the wins. Defeating a good team like Norths is a great start for the tough final weeks ahead.

ROUND 18 – PNG HUNTERS 18 NORTHERN PRIDE 8

The PNG Hunters took revenge on an earlier season loss in Cairns with a 18-8 win in Port Moresby in a low scoring affair at the National Stadium. The difference on the day was the boot of Ase Boas, as both sides scored just the two tries, but the captain 2/2 Conversions and 3 Penalty Goals proved the difference. It wasn’t until fullback Edene Gebbie’s that the Hunters were comfortable at 16-4, and a late try to Javid Bowen proved merely a consolation in the 75th minute. The win sees the Hunters stay in a group of teams on 18 points, just two points behind sixth place, the Northern Pride are now just a further two points in front after a second straight loss.

ROUND 17 – PNG HUNTERS 20 REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 28

The Hunters missed a good chance to move up to equal points with sixth place as they were defeated at home by the Redcliffe Dolphins, who completed the double over the Hunters for the first time.

The game was anyone’s until the Dolphins sealed the game through an unlikely source in prop and captain Sam Anderson in the 75th minute, but up until then the scoring and lead change regularly throughout the afternoon.

Redcliffe opened up the scoring early and they traded tries with the Hunters, but a quick burst of two in three minutes just before half time saw the home side take a 14-12 lead into the break. One of those tries was to the returning Adex Wera, always a good man to have back on board.

The Dolphins scored the next two tries not long after the break, and they retook the lead and extended it to 22-14 with just under half an hour to spare. The Hunters replied in the 64th minute, and it was a two point ball game, until Redcliffe’s final score sealed the game.

Had Redcliffe had scored two more points they would have taken the lead of the competition, which would have been great seeing there’s a big clash with former competition leader Burleigh next weekend. The Hunters meanwhile  will continue their struggle to make the top six, a win today would have helped them defend their title. Top six looks to be the realistic target from here. With their poor away form, they need to win every home game, no matter the opposition.

ROUND 16 – PNG HUNTERS 24 Sunshine Coast Falcons 12

PNG HUNTERS GET RIVALRY ROUND REVENGE IN PORT MORESBY

The PNG Hunters keep their finals hopes alive by getting revenge on the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Port Moresby, who easily defeated them on the Sunshine Coast earlier in the season. In fairness, the Falcons were only taking their own revenge after losing the Grand Final to the Hunters the previous September.

This match has developed into a nice rivalry despite the distance geographically between the two sides, with the Hunters more often than not getting the job done at home, but struggling to defeat the Falcons on the road. Not that the Falcons can’t win in PNG, they did knock the Hunters out of the finals in 2016 in Port Moresby.

Sunday’s game went the way of the Hunters, and featured two tries to arguably their most important player Ase Boas, who is on the comeback trail from a recent absence. Nixon Putt too continued his fine run of form from the the Kumuls win over Fiji by grabbing the match winning try for himself in the 70th minute. The Falcons had earlier taken the lead after just two minutes, and were only down by 2 points at the 60 minute mark, before the Hunters skipped away thereafter.

The win sees the Hunters draw level on points with the Sunshine Coast, and are just two shy of the top six, but will need to improve their for and against, which may well decide finalists for September.

ROUND 15 – IPSWICH JETS 8 PNG Hunters 6

PNG MIGHT BE HOPING FIJI AREN’T AS GOOD AS IPSWICH JETS

Or that the NRL / ISP experience will help them too….

The Hunters, unsurprisingly, supplied the bulk of the PNG International side for the Pacific Test v Lebanon, and have Hunter coach Michael Marum in charge of the national side too. So of course there were plenty of Hunters selected, but after the Hunters were unable to get past Ipswich in a low scoring affair, perhaps there is a worry about the depth of Kumuls.

The PNG Hunters have looked better in recent weeks with the return of some experience, but they will be disappointed to have only scored one try in the rare Friday night at North Ipswich Reserve. Their try came in the 23^rd minute, and the only other four pointer in the match went to the Jets even earlier in the 17^th minute.

There were no more points in the second half, a bit of a worry if the Hunters can’t find a way past the Ipswich Jets.

ROUND 14 – PNG HUNTERS 26 Mackay Cutters 12

ASE BOAS RETURNS FOR PNG HUNTERS AS THEY DO IT EASY AGAINST MACKAY

A key moment in the 63rd minute in the game in Port Moresby for the PNG Hunters as captain and main playmaker Ase Boas returned to the field after missing the last few weeks with injury. 

The game was well and truly under control by that stage as the Hunters got back to winning ways against the last placed Mackay Cutters. The two team traded early tries, but a quick burst of two tries in the 21st and 25th minute saw the Hunters take a handy 20-6 to half time. One of those tries was to Thompson Teteh, who has scored for the second week in a row and is showing good signs for the Hunters since his return to the side.

Another returnee who seems to be finding the tryline is Stanton Albert, and the prop’s return from England seems to be one factor in the upturn in form of the Hunters, he scored the Hunters final try in the 61st minute. Mackay got themselves a consolation try in the 71st through their own returning player Cooper Bambling, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the Cutters remaining last.

Good signs though for the Hunters with the way Watson Boas has stepped up in the absence of his brother, and the 5/5 goal kicking gives an additional option for the Hunters.

ROUND 13 – EASTS TIGERS 30 PNG Hunters 12

Easts Tigers had a squad pre season that looked good enough for Top 6, and that was bolstered further by Brodie Croft’s demotion back to the Tigers from the Storm. But for various reasons the Tigers struggled for wins in the past month or so, a losing run they broke at Wynnum last weekend with a big win. Equally impressive is the way they dominated the PNG Hunters this weekend, a side they have a great record against at Suzuki Stadium. The first point came via a Hunters penalty, but that was to be their only joy of the afternoon and not long later the Tigers scored their first try and never looked back. They led 16-2 at the break, and by the 70th minute had scored three of the next four tries to be 30-6 in front. The Hunter secured some last minute consolation, but not enough joy to end a three game winning streak and momentum to get back into Top 6. The reigning premiers curse continues.

ROUND 12 PNG HUNTERS 12 Townsville Blackhawks 8

HUNTERS END TOWNSVILLE’S RUN IN A TIGHT AFFAIR

The PNG Hunters ended Townsville’s winning run which stretched back to Round 5 with a hard fought win in Port Moresby, as the victories between these two sides often are.

PNG were without their captain and star player Ase Boas, regular hooker Wartovo Puara moving into the halves. What the Hunters did have though, was the return of Stanton Albert from an aborted campaign in English Rugby League.

There was just the one try in the first half, and that went the way of the visitors in the Ty Carucci in the 15th minute, the conversion missed and no other scoring saw the score 4-0 at half time.

The second half saw a little more action, and thankfully for the home fans the first two tries came for the Hunters. The first to Junior Rau 5 minutes after the break, and 20 minutes later returnee Stanton Albert ensured his impact from his comeback was complete with what turned out to be the winning try. The Blackhawks did score with a minute to go, but their 0/2 conversion rate meant the Hunters held on for the two points and climb to 9th on the ladder and just two points from the top 6. Townsville drop a place after their loss and the Magpies win.

It was the Hunter’s performance under extreme pressure in Townsville last season that earmarked them as genuine title contenders, so perhaps this victory will give the side more belief that they can do it again this year. All done without Ase Boas too.

ROUND 11 PNG HUNTERS 18 Central Capras 10

The Hunters return to winning ways at home.

ROUND 10 Wynnum Seagulls 16 PNG HUNTERS 18

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER FOR PNG HUNTERS

Sunday’s only game saw a match up of two sides desperate for a win, Wynnum were winless at home in 2018, the Hunters no wins away, and a loss would see them dead last.

Plenty to play for, and no surprise that it was a tight contest throughout, but the match was entertaining none the less. Wynnum opened the scoring in the 9th minute through former Intrust Super Cup Player of the Year Patrick Templeman.

PNG Hunters hit back in the 18th minute through fan favourite Willie Minoga, back in the centres where he did a fair  bit of damage in their 2017 premiership season. In fact the Hunters had a few more big names return for this match – former centre Thompson Teteh returned to the Hunters and so did premiership hooker Wartovo Puara, and they did add something to the side. They didn’t add the next try – that was for Wynnum by Mitch Cronin four minutes later, but the tot for tat continued as Watson Boas crossed for PNG to even up the game once more.

A penalty goal just after half time to Ase Boas gave the Hunters the lead of the first time, and they held onto it for another 20 minutes as the arm wrestle between the two sides continued. That was until Daniel Ogden does what he does best, and scored, in the 64th minute, and despite the missed conversion Wynnum led 16-14. 

Both sides tried hard for the next try to win the game, and happily for the Hunters it came through none other than Willie Minoga who finished off a fine movement by crashing over in the right corner in the 76th minute., meaning it looked like Wynnum would be going down at home to a late score again. The Seagulls did try and steal the game themselves, and came close but PNG Hunters held on, and sealed a much needed first away win which saw them avoid last place, but only just as they sit just 12th at the end of the Intrust Super Cup Round 10. Wynnum are just one place above on for and against.

ROUND 9 – BYE

ROUND 8 BURLEIGH BEARS 34 PNG Hunters 18

BEARS REMAIN ON TOP AND HUNTERS INTO BOTTOM TWO

Burleigh and PNG met in their Anzac Weekend clash, and this year the big match went to the home side who kept themselves at the top of the Intrust Super Cup ladder as a result.

Both sides had key absentees heading into the game, most notably in the halves where star playmakers Jamal Fogarty continues to be unavailable, and the Hunters captain Ase Boas was out. The Bears are also missing other vital cogs, but it didn’t seem to bother them early in the match as they dominated to lead 12-0 through three unconverted tries after 20 minutes.

The Hunters to their credit got back into the match, and scored twice before half time to reduce the gap to 12-10 at the break, and then even hit the front with a try and penalty goal after the break to lead 18-12. Unfortunately Burleigh got into a point scoring spree in the last 20 minutes, scoring four unanswered tries, including a double to Troy Leo as part of a three try, six minute burst to end the game for the Bears.

Burleigh are two points clear of Norths in 2nd, and a further 2 in front of a very competitive pack of Townsville, Redcliffe, Souths Logan and Redcliffe. Things are certainly looking good for the 2016 Premiers in 2018. For the Hunters it wasn’t the away day drought breaker many would have been hoping for, but to lead the competition leaders away from home, without their star player is showing good signs for a team in transition.

ROUND 7 PNG Hunters 12 SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 20

FIRST HOME LOSS FOR HUNTERS

2017 Premiers PNG Hunters continue a trend for struggling reigning premiers in the intrust Super Cup, as they suffered their first home defeat of the season to the in form Souths Logan Magpies, who now lie third on the Intrust Super Cup ladder. The Hunters started off brightly enough, like last weekend at Redcliffe, with tries to new fullback Edene Gebbie and fan favourite Willie Minoga seeing the Hunters leading 12-6 after 20 minutes.

It was as good as the afternoon got for the home side, as Souths Logan halfback Sam Scarlett evened things up on 30 minutes, to see the game locked at half time. The second half produced only a penalty and a late 77th minute try, and both went to the Magpies. With the Hunters underwhelming away form, they really need the home wins, and although losing to Souths Logan is no shame, they can’t afford too many more losses at home without fixing their away form with their rebuilding squad.

ROUND 6 – REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 20 PNG Hunters 6

DOLPHINS EXTEND HUNTERS AWAY DAY MISERY

Despite a big effort from the PNG Hunters on Saturday evening, they were unable to get their first away points of the year as Redcliffe defeated them 14-6 to maintain their position in the top six..

It was the Dolphins fourth straight win this season, and they had to withstand an early onslaught from the Hunters, and an early try to recent addition Junior Rau, before taking control with two tries in five minutes leading into half time. Their 14-6 lead was extended to 20-6 not long after halftime by off season recruit Tony Tumusa, but there were no more points from either side for the remainder of the evening.

For the Hunters losing to a side like Redcliffe at Redcliffe, is no shame, but their record 1 win and a draw from five games there is a worry. The effort was the thankfully, and it looks like 2018 is going to be a rebuilding year for the PNG side with many new faces to blood, the biggest change since their first year in the competition. Finals are still not out of the question with their envious home record and tightness of the competition, but patience will be required as the new players get up to speed.

ROUND 5 – NORTHS DEVILS 34 PNG Hunters 22

HUNTERS ROAD WOES CONTINUE AT HANDS OF IMPRESSIVE DEVILS

The PNG Hunters strong form on the road was one of the main reasons they took the minor premiership that led to an eventual Intrust Super Cup Grand Final win last season, but it is not the same story in 2018.

The current Hunters side a different team to last year, a retired Stargroth Amean, and injured Willie Minoga, on top of off seasons departures has slightly weakened the PNG side for the 2018 season, and the comparison of season to season results at Bishop Park underlines this. The Hunters easily defeated the Devils in Nundah in 2017, but this year they were well beaten themselves, with only a couple of late tries saving face on the scoreboard.

It’s not all about the Hunters of course, the Norths Devils have started 2018 very well, only suffering the one defeat last weekend against Wynnum at Suncorp Stadium, with the returning Sam Tagataese providing some real NRL experience, and on Saturday evening, a try. It was one of the six tries Norths scored, with the halves Troy Dargan and Todd Murphy also in the thick of the action. Timely too as the Broncos struggles continue, the NRL club’s eye might just turn to the Intrust Super Cup for some new blood.

Norths scored early through the first of Chevi Ellis’ two tries for the evening, and they were never headed for the rest of the match. The Hunters closed to 16-12 just after half time, but after that the Devils scored three tries in 12 minutes to effectively kill off the game. Two tries in the last four minutes gave some respectability to the scoreline for the visitors, but not enough for the two competition points.

Next weekend looms as a key weekend for both sides coincidentally, as Norths take on the undefeated ears in a top of the table clash, Hunters can test their away credentials even more at a tough Dolphin Oval, where they haven’t won since their first match in 2014.

ROUND 4 – PNG HUNTERS 32 Tweed Heads Seagulls 18

STARGROTH AMEAN SIGNS OFF FROM THE PNG HUNTERS WITH A TRY

Shock news was announced leading into this weekend’s clash between the PNG Hunters and the Tweed Heads Seagulls, as their star fullback Stargroth Amean revealed the game would be his last, deciding to concentrate on his studies and a post rugby league career.

First of all, what a shame and a loss for PNG rugby league to lose a player who had such a great 2017. If it weren’t for the NRL quality of PNG Kumul’s captain David Mead, he would have surely been the Kumuls number 1 at the Rugby League World Cup, and he was a major part of the Hunter Intrust Super Cup success. He had missed the first game of the season for the Hunters, but looked on the comeback trail after coming off the bench in Round 2 and starting last weekend against the Falcons. And after such a great 2017, could this have been the year he caught the eye of an NRL club?

Sadly, we will never know, but given the past history of the Hunters/PNG players being able to be given a go at the NRL, it probably would have been a no anyway. Perhaps he’s seen players like ex Hunters Justin Olam, or fellow Kumuls Rod Griffin or Rhyse Martin continue to be overlooked by the NRL despite being a big part of the respective feeder programs and named in respective Intrust competitions teams of the year no less. As good as the Wellington brothers and the late Kato Ottio have played in PNG colours or for NRL feeder clubs, it seems only UK Super League clubs are prepared to take a chance.

With the Hunters having no official feeder program with an NRL club, there remains a very big market for an NRL club willing to take a chance. Rugby League in Australia it seems aren’t too big on risk takers. Take a look at the lack of new names in the early rounds of the NRL.

In the meantime, we salute Stargroth Amean, and all the entertainment he has brought.

As for the game against Tweed Heads, the Hunters got over their hoodoo of the Seagulls with a win. They led by as much as 26-6, before allowing Tweed Heads back in the game when their 74th minute try made the score 26-18. Thankfully Watson Boas sealed the game two minutes later. 

ROUND 3 – SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 24 PNG Hunters 10

The Sunshine Coast continued their dominance over the PNG Hunters on the Sunshine Coast with a 24-10 win, which sees their run of home wins extend to 4 straight seasons now. The Falcons led 24-0 before the Hunters finally got on the board in the 57th minute, and despite scoring again four minutes later, a comeback was not forthcoming and the Hunters now have a 1-2 record in the title defence year.

ROUND 2 – NORTHERN PRIDE 26 PNG Hunters 14

NO TODD CARNEY? NO PROBLEMS FOR PRIDE

NRL superstar and off season Pride recruit Todd Carney was a late withdrawal for the Northern Pride on Saturday evening, but it didn’t harm the Cairns based side as they took care of defending premiers PNG Hunters 26-14. 2017 regular performer Jordan Biondi-Odo filled in for Carney at five eighth.

The Pride had things under control for most of the game, a first half double to Shawn Bowen and a penalty saw the Pride take advantage of Hunters errors to lead 14-0 at the break. A half which saw an unlikely makeshift fullback in Grand Final hero Willie Minoga(!).

By the time the Hunters got on the board in the 53rd minute through the very promising Charlie Simon and followed by the Hunters captain Ase Boas, the Pride were already 18-0 up. A final Pride try to the Pride’s Nathan Wales and a penalty goal well and truly covered the Hunters final try to Butler Morris, as the PNG side were unable to serve up any more points.

Great win for the Pride after the disappointment of starting their season and losing in Brisbane last weekend.

ROUND 1 – PNG HUNTERS 22 Ipswich Jets 12

HUNTERS KICK OFF TITLE DEFENCE WITH A WIN

With the recent reigning premiers all struggling to kick on in the season after their big Grand Final win, not many would have been surprised if the Hunters did not start 2018 with a win, but win they certainly did, and with the familiar names of Boas all over the scoring sheet.

The Boas brothers scored all but four points for the Hunters, Watson scoring two tries, and Ase Boas crossing for the important and match wining try in the 79th, amongst his three goals. Stand in fullback Adex Wera was the other PNG Hunters try scorer.

Ipswich got within 4 points with just a few minutes to go, but as they do, the Hunters were able to hold out the Jets, and scored that late Ase Boas try to see off the game.

A promising start for the Hunters for their 2018 title defence anyway.