2019 PNG Hunters Draw + Season Details

The QRL released their full draw for the 2019 season, but we are mainly interested in the 2019 PNG Hunters draw, so here is all the details for the Hunters upcoming season.

We have our thoughts on the draw, and the overall draw, plus a dedicated mini draw for PNG Hunters fans in South East Queensland.

Finally we have a small season preview, and throughout the 2019 season will post our mini reviews of each game. Read on for a short description of each game every week.

The place for all things 2019 PNG Hunters draw.

THOUGHTS FROM THE 2019 PNG HUNTERS DRAW

Here are a few thoughts after looking at the PNG Hunters draw for 2019.

HUNTERS NEED TO IMPROVE ON LAST YEAR’S EARLY AWAY FORM

It took until Round 10 last season to register a win away from home, perhaps it was the dreaded Premiership hangover, but it ensured they were chasing a top six spot for most of the season.

HOME COMFORTS OF ROUNDS 9 TO 15 

The PNG Hunters will play five games out of six at home from Rounds 9 to 15, with a trip to Redcliffe in the middle somewhere. With their big home ground advantage, this could be the start of some great second half of the season momentum if they struggle early. Which could happen given the massive shake up in playing roster.

GOTTA BEAT SOME OF THE BOGEY TEAMS AWAY

In recent seasons the Hunters have struggled for wins against the Easts Tigers, Sunshine Coast Falcons and Redcliffe away. Given those clubs are all likely to be in the mix for the new Top Eight finals series, they will be important wins 

BEST SAVED FOR LAST

We haven’t missed a Hunters game at Davies Park since their arrival in 2014, and are loving that the game will be in the last round of the year. It is always a great battle Hopefully the Hunters will be well in contention or fighting for a spot in the finals. 

2019 PNG HUNTERS DRAW FOR SEQ

There are many fans and well wishers of the PNG Hunters that live in and around South East Queensland. So get the pencils and calendars ready to plan the season ahead with our specialised SEQ 2019 PNG Hunters draw.

2019 PNG HUNTERS DRAW IN FULL

Here is the full 2019 PNG Hunters draw to plan ahead for the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season.

2019 PNG HUNTERS PREVIEW

There will be a full preview as the season gets closer, but a quick word for now.

2019 will be the biggest season of change since the Hunters were welcomed into the competition in 2014. Gone are many of the stars of the Grand Final winning team, and some of the promising players from last season.

Sadly for us, Willie Minoga has left for the UK Championship side Barrow, joining his former Hunters teammates Wartovo Puara and Stargroth Amean – the former fullback actually quit mid 2018 season from rugby league. The two Boas brothers have left for the UK too, ending up in Featherstone. There’s also the loss of Nixon Putt – one of PNG’s best last season to the Norths Devils, and Edene Gebbie (who was an outstanding find in 2018) and the very consistent Rahdly Brawa to Wynnum Manly.

UPDATE: Willie Minoga is back playing for the PNG Hunters from Round 20.

Good luck to the former Hunters, and may their talents be noticed by many. 

That also provides plenty of opportunities for the new batch of PNG players to come through, one the main points of having the Hunters side. The exciting part is getting to know them and finding the new Willie Minoga to follow.

The amount of change means it could be a tough start to 2019, but it didn’t stop them winning early games in their first season, and you know they will have been trained hard come season’s start.

They initially had a 60 person squad for 2019, which has been slowly whittled away. When the final squad is announced, we’ll have it here and discuss some more.

2019 PNG HUNTERS SEASON REVIEW

Stay tuned throughout the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season as we have a quick review on all of the games.

ROUND 20- PNG HUNTERS 6 BURLEIGH BEARS 24

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 6 – Tries: Garry Lo 52′  Goals Ase Boas 1 Conv

BURLEIGH BEARS 24 – Tries: Jamal Fogarty 17′ Josh Berkers 38′ Troy Leo 66′ Troy Leo 74′   Goals: Jamal Fogarty 2 Conv 2 Pen

Ladder Position after Round 20 – 13th – 7pts

ROUND 19 – TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 48 PNG HUNTERS 18

Scoring:

SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 48 – Tries: Bacho Salam 5′ Temone Power 13′ Kalifa Faifai Loa 17′ Zac Santo 24′ Jake Marketo 44′ Cade Maloney 49′ Nathan Traill 53′ Kyle Laybutt 69′   Goals: Shaun Nona 8 Conv

PNG HUNTERS 18 – Tries: Nick Hasu 28′ Kevin Appo 62′ Terry Wapi 78′   Goals Ase Boas 3 Conv

Ladder Position after Round 19 – 13th – 7pts

ROUND 18 – PNG HUNTERS 38 EASTS TIGERS 38

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 38 – Tries: Woods Kawage 1′ Justin Yoka 18′ Roy Elison 22′ Brendon Gotuno 51′ Enock Maki 61′ Terry Wapi 63′ Brandon Nima 68′  Goals Ase Boas 4 Conv 1 Pen

EASTS TIGERS 38– Tries: Jarrod McInally 9′ Sam Lavea 14′ Kelma Tuilagi 28′ Tom Hughes 35′ Jack Svendsen 40′ Bill Cullen 76′    Goals: Dray Ngatuere-Wroe  6 Conv 1 Pen

Ladder Position after Round 18 – 13th – 7pts

ROUND 17 – SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 60 PNG HUNTERS 6

Scoring:

SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 60 – Tries: Sam Burns 14′ Jordin Leiu 23′ Jon Reuben 30′ Nathan Saumalu 33′ Jon Reuben 49′ Harry Grant 57′ Caleb Daunt 63′ Harry Grant 70′ Jon Reuben 74′ Tom Rafter 77′  Goals: Todd Murphy 9 Conv 1 Pen

PNG HUNTERS 6 – Tries: Brandon Nima 19′  Goals Ase Boas 1 Conv

Ladder Position after Round 17 – 13th – 6pts

ROUND 16 – PNG HUNTERS 18 NORTHS DEVILS 30

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 18 – Tries: Junior Rau 16′ Nick Hasu 25′ Brandon Nima 66′ Goals: Ase Boas 2 Conv Nick Hasu 1 Conv

NORTHS DEVILS 30 – Tries: Riley Leota 40′ Nixon Putt 43′ Jack Ahearn 49′ Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 61′ Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 69′ Jack Ahearn 76′ Goals Connor Broadhurst 3 Conv

Ladder Position after Round 16 – 13th – 6pts

ROUND 15 – NORTHERN PRIDE 34 PNG HUNTERS 14

Scoring:

NORTHERN PRIDE 34 – Tries: Peter Hola 7′ Cephas Chinfat 13′ David Murphy 23′ Bradley Stephen 55′ Javid Bowen 65′ Jordan Biondi-Odo 72′  Goals: Jordan Biondi-Odo 4 Conv 1 Pen

PNG HUNTERS 14 – Tries: Daniel Tapol 2′ Shane Nigel 49′ Kevin Appo 77′ Goals: Ase Boas 1 Conv

Ladder Position after Round 15 – 13th – 6pts

ROUND 14 – PNG HUNTERS 20 TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 16

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 20 – Tries: Moses Meninga 44′ Rau Junior KOBALE 52′ Terry Wapi 62′ Brandon Nima 74′ Goals: Nick Hasu 2 Conv

TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 16 – Tries: Cheyne Whitelaw 2′ Treymain Spry 6′ Goals Lindon McGrady 2 Conv 2 Pen

Ladder Position after Round 14 – 12th – `6 pts

ROUND 13 – PNG HUNTERS 26 MACKAY CUTTERS 34

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 26 – Tries: Adex Wera 6′ Adex Wera 36′ Brandon Nima 48′ Brandon Nima 54′ Patrick Morea 57′ Goals: Nick Hasu 2 Conv Ase Boas 1 Pen

MACKAY CUTTERS 34 – Tries: Jordan Kenworthy 15′ Jayden Hodges 21′ Jayden Batchelor 24′ Blake Atherton 32′ Jack Hickson 42′ Tyler Gardiner 63′ Goals: Carlin Anderson 4 Conv 1 Pen

Ladder Position after Round 13 – 12th – `4 Pts

ROUND 12 – REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 48 PNG HUNTERS 8

Scoring:

REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 48 – Tries: Nathan Watts 4′ Jeremy Hawkins 19′ Tom Geraghty 38′ Izaia Perese 44′ Aaron Whitchurch 48′ Tom Geraghty 52′ Josh Beehag 55′ Trai Fuller 58′ Harrison Smith 66′ Goals: Bryce Donovan 6/9 Conv

PNG HUNTERS 8 – Tries: Gairo Kapana 14′ Terry Wapi 31

Ladder Position after Round 12 – 12th – `4 Pts

ROUND 11 – PNG HUNTERS 24 SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 22

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 24 – Tries: Gairo Kapana 10′ Terry Wapi 17′ Moses Meninga 38′ Junior Rau 48′ Goals: Nick Hasu 3/4 Conv 1 Pen

SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 22 – Tries: Mitch Frei 22′ Matt Soper-Lawler 30′ Matt Soper-Lawler 43’Alex Bishop 57′ Goals: Guy Hamilton 3/4 Conv

Ladder Position after Round 11 – 12th – `4 Pts

ROUND 10 – PNG HUNTERS 6 WYNNUM SEAGULLS 28

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 6 – Tries: Bland Abavu 2′ Goals: Ase Boas 1/1 Conv

CENTRAL CAPRAS 10 – Tries: Junior Pauga 7′ Junior Pauga 10′ Edward Burns 24′ Kalolo Saitaua 31′ Goals: Pat Templeman 3/4 Conv 3/3 Pens

Ladder Position after Round 10 – 12th – `2 Pts

ROUND 9 – PNG HUNTERS 14 TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 24

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 14  – Tries: Bland Abavu 1′ Brendon Gutono 35′ Brandon Nima 41′  Goals: Charlie Simon 1/3 Conv

TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 24 – Tries: Zac Santo 10′ Zac Santo 19′ Josh Chudleigh 31′ Kalifa Faifai Loa 58′  Goals: Levi Dodd 3/4 Conv 1/1 Pens

Ladder Position after Round 9 – 13th – `2 Pts

ROUND 8 – BURLEIGH BEARS 56 PNG HUNTERS 4

Scoring:

BURLEIGH BEARS 56  – Tries: Brenko Lee 6′ Josh Ailaomai 19′ Hayden Schwass 34′ Troy Leo 38′ Sami Sauiluma 45′ Luke Page 60′ Jamal Fogarty 63′ Jordan Scott 67′ Jamal Fogarty 72′ Troy Leo 78′ Goals: Jamal Fogarty 8/10

PNG HUNTERS 4 – Tries: Brandon Nima 51′ Goals: Ase Boas 0/1 Conv

Ladder Position after Round 8 – 13th – 2 Pts

ROUND 7 – PNG HUNTERS 10 IPSWICH JETS 28

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 10  – Tries: Brandon Nima 11′  Woods Kawage 51′ Goals: Ase Boas 1/2 Conv

IPSWICH JETS 28 – Tries: Rogan Dean 8′ Josh Seage 22′ Peter Gubb 30′ Peter Gubb 48′ Jayden Connors 58′  Goals: Josh Cleeland 3/5 Conv 1/1 Pens

Ladder Position after Round 7 – 13th – 2 Pts

ROUND 6 – CENTRAL CAPRAS 10 PNG HUNTERS 28

PNG HUNTERS WIN THEIR FIRST GAME

At the third time of us predicting it, the PNG Hunters got their first win of the season. And in reasonably impressive style in the unfamiliar surroundings of Emerald in Central Queensland.

The Hunters side has seen a lot of changes over the past month, with discipline, injuries, indifferent form and the return of their premiership winning captain Ase Boas causing massive changes week in and week out.

Perhaps after their good win over the Capras, Michael Marum and his staff could be convinced that less is more, with the team on the field on Saturday night looking quite capable of more.

Pleasing to see two players who were recently dropped on the score sheet in Charlie Simon and Oti Bland Tony, and Ase Boas looked an improvement than when we last saw him live against Easts. That was always going to take time but things are starting to turn. Moses Meninga’s power was a welcome return, and he was rewarded with the final try of the match to seal the game, which the Hunters celebrated plenty..

A hearty thanks for the online sharing of the game too. With the lack of TV games for the Hunters, it’s good to know we can watch them somehow. Channel Nein are jerks. Imagine the reigning premiers of a competition going an entire season without FTA coverage like what happened to PNG last season. 

They have a good run now with six of their next eight at home,, and playing no one higher than fourth. And their hardest opponent is the Blackhawks who they have a good record against, and the Bears in the traditional Anzac Day clash.

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 28  – Tries: Brendon Gutono 8′ Junior Rop 26′ Oti Bland Tony 34′ Charlie Simon 70′ Moses Meninga 74′ Goals: Ase Boas 4/5 Conv

CENTRAL CAPRAS 10 – Tries: Maipele Morseu 15′ Kainoa Gudgeon 63′ Goals:  BJ Aufaga-Toomaga 1/2 Conv

Ladder Position after Round 6 – 12th – `2 Pts

ROUND 5 – NORTHS DEVILS 28 PNG HUNTERS 6

PNG HUNTERS DOWN TO THE DEVILS IN NUNDAH

Another week, and another loss for the PNG Hunters on Saturday night, and after showing signs of improvement against Easts Tigers last weekend with their returning star Ase Boas on board, the 28-6 loss could be seen as a step backwards.

There was another massive shake up with the squad this weekend, with injuries and form forcing Michale Marum and his team to make huge changes to the squad for a second straight week. Whilst hat trick hero from two weeks prior Joe Joshua came in, they lost captain Adex Wera and Moses Meninga, among others.

Things started promisingly enough for the Hunters as they led a game for the first time this season, scoring early in the 10th minute through Brendon Gutono. That was all the scoring for the evening for the Hunters as Norths scored four tries in 16 minutes from the 19th minute, 22-6 being the half time damage.

There was only one more converted try for the Devils in the second half, but it was the scoring in the final 40 minutes, which sadly left PNG Hunters last and winless after five rounds. Norths meanwhile have a 3-2 record, and their current W-L-W-L-W pattern should see them play finals football if it continues.

Some good news for PNG Fans is the continued great form by Nixon Putt for the Devils. Not only for the Kumuls’ internationals later in the season, but playing for a Broncos feeder club gives you an outside chance at a taste of NRL action, especially around Origin time.

Scoring:

NORTHS DEVILS 28  – Tries: Henry Penn 19′ Jayden Baker 24′ Herbie Farnworth 31′ Jack Ahearn 35′ Paul Ulberg 76′ Goals: Herbie Farnworth 3 Conv, 1 Pen

PNG HUNTERS 6 – Tries: Brendon Gutono 10′ Goals: Ase Boas 1 Pen

Ladder Position after Round 5 – 14th – 0 Pts

ROUND 4 – EASTS TIGERS 30 PNG HUNTERS 14

PNG HUNTERS – WINLESS BUT NOT HOPELESS

The PNG Hunters are now the only winless side in the 2019 Intrust Super Cup after Round 4, and despite being outclassed on the day by the Easts Tigers, there is plenty of hope for the rest of the season. A first win isn’t far away.

First of all, the return of Ase Boas after his departure from UK Club Featherstone is a major positive for the side. Sure, the PNG Hunters should always be about promoting new talent, but having that experience in being no less than a premiership winning captain an only benefit the team. Boas grew into the game, and was key in the PNG Hunters second half comeback with some key plays that led to tries. There will no doubt be more to come as he gels with the current playing group, and he has barely been in the country before being quickly added to their side. Early signs are good. 

One thing that did stick in the mind as the Hunters got back into the contest, was a little more of the ad lib rugby league which has been missing in recent years. It coincided with the only time the Tigers looked uncomfortable during the match. Perhaps just a little more Pacific flair could be added to the Hunters game.Moses Meninga looked one of the Hunters’s best from the forward pack, and the occasionally maligned Oti Bland Tony was quite good at the back. 

On the negative, some of the Easts Tigers tries were relatively soft, most scored within the Hunters 20m. Defence was the key to the Hunters 2017 title success, and has been at the backbone of many a win in the Intrust Super Cup, so to see the easy tries was surprising. It was a wet day out, and Easts halves Billy Walters and Josh Ralph, and feisty hooker Aaron Booth were having a very good day out.At the end of the day, they were competitive against a very professional outfit, who are currently unbeaten and leading the competition.

With a finals series extended to eight teams, there’s plenty of time yet.

Full game review of the match by friend of the website Matt Crowhurst can be found here.

Scoring:

EASTS TIGERS 30  – Tries: Brandon Downey 10′, Aaron Booth 17′, Cheyse Blair 32′, Curtis Dansey Smaller 40′, Tom Hughes 65′, Tom Hughes 78′  Goals: Aaron Booth 3

PNG HUNTERS 14 – Tries: Charlie Simon 24′, Junior Rau 52′, Junior Rau 56′ Goals: Ase Boas 1

Ladder Position after Round 4 – 14th – 0 Pts

ROUND 3 – PNG HUNTERS 0 NORTHERN PRIDE 24

HUNTERS MAKE THEIR POINT BUT NOT TWO…YET.

So the PNG Hunters sill lost in Intrust Super Cup Round 3 to the Sunshine Coast, but the margin was only two points to a side which has yet to be beaten in 2019, and they scored 26 points, which is 26 more than their haul in the first two games of the season.

The shuffle of Oti Tony Bland and Joe Joshua between Fullback and Centre seemed to work as Joe Joshua scored a hat trick for the Hunters, the last of which came just before full-time.

PNG actually scored five tries, the same as the Falcons, but the goal kicking made the difference, with the Falcons slotting more two pointer to steal the win. More luck with the goal kicking would have seen them home.

Talking of good goal kicking, Ase Boas has left the Featherstone Rovers in the UK for family reasons, so who knows if they can convince him to turn out for the Hunters for the rest of the 2019 season. Whilst the PNG Hunters should always be focused on bringing young talent through, imagine the steady, premiership winning hands and feet, imagine the little addition of quality to help the up and comers learn with confidence.

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 26  – Tries: Junior Rau 16′, Justin Yoka 22′, Joe Joshua 31′, Joe Joshua 66′, Joe Joshua 79′ Goals: Charlie Simon 3

SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 28 – Tries: Dane Hogan 12′, Dane Hogan 25′, Nathan Saumalu 38′, Daniel Dole 41′, Nathan Saumalu 48′ Goals: Nicho Hynes 4

Ladder Position after Round 3 – 14th – 0 Pts

ROUND 2 – PNG HUNTERS 0 NORTHERN PRIDE 24

NORTHERN PRIDE DENTS HUNTERS PRIDE TO NIL

For the second time in their Intrust Super Cup life from 2014, the PNG Hunters were kept scoreless, right on the back of last weekend’s first occasion. The PNG Hunters attack is not quite firing so far this season to say the least.

To lose to the Northern Pride is no embarassment, given they had beaten the Redcliffe Dolphins the weekend before, but the zero points scored is the worry now for the Hunters.

There wasn’t a great deal in the game after the two very ealy tries for the Pride, but it meant the Hunters were on the back foot for the afternoon.

A silver lining is that despite two losses, the Hunters still have the sixth best defensive record in the competition. A bit of reshuffling of the backline and hooker for Round 3’s clash with the Sunshine Coast will hoepfully lead to some point on the scoreboard.

The Northern Pride showed two things that the Hunters don’t have – a quality half in top form, and some big game experience from the NRL/Super League like Maurice Blair. Whilst the PNG Hunters should always be about promoting their local talent, it wouldn’t hurt to draft in a little ex NRL experience to assist with the transition. It can help development of players if they get beaten to nil every week. And there just happens to be an ex NRL star who was recently squeezed out of the Sharks.

Scoring:

PNG HUNTERS 0 

NORTHERN PRIDE 24 – Tries: Matthew Musumeci 2′, William Bugden 5′, Shawn Bowen 30′, Jack Murphy 54′ Goals Jake Clifford 3 Conv 1 Pen

Ladder Position after Round 2 – 13th – 0 Pts

ROUND 1 – TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 10 PNG HUNTERS 0

NIL PROBLEMS FOR PNG HUNTERS

For the first time in their Intrust Super Cup life from 2014, the PNG Hunters were kept scoreless.

The Hunters did lose both games to Tweed Heads in their Premiership season, so the Seagulls have proved a bogey side in the past, but the Hunters have also enjoyed some good wins at Piggabeen.

It will take time with a squad with such a massive turnover of their top players, and we are actually excited about the prospect of new names to follow and get behind, but fans may have to be patient. And possibly prepare for a few more losses than they are used to in the short term.

Scoring:

TWEED HEADS 10 – Tries Ryland Jacobs 54, Ryley Jacks 64′ Goals: Lindon McGrady 1/2

PNG HUNTERS 0 –