PNG Hunters face acid test

THE Papua New Guinea Hunters face another test of the Queensland Cup premiership credentials this time against competition leaders the Northern Pride in the top of table clash in Kokopo tomorrow.

And if the Kalabond Oval continues to be the ‘cauldron of death’ for visiting teams, the SP Brewery-sponsored Hunters franchise could see themselves leading after the fourth round.

Comments by writer Chris Garry of The Courier Mail this week on the Queensland Rugby League official website suggest that the Hunters (3-0) are one of three legitimate contenders so far. Hunters coach Michael Marum would have nothing of it.

The other early contenders as per Garry’s personal prognosis are Souths Logan (2-0) and Ipswich Jets (2-1).\

Media hype is just what Marum does not want, as the 26-round competition, barring the play-offs, will be the longest season his Hunters will have played.

The Pride are coming off three positive wins as well and with coach Jason Demetriou being tactically beaten by Marum on two occasions (Gurias and Hunters), this will be a chance to get one back. 

The inclusion of three North Queensland Cowboys NRL players in full-back Mathew Wright, wing Javid Bowen and prop Ethan Low, plus Latu Fifita (brother of Cronulla Sharks prop Andrew Fifiita), Demetriou’s men are out to snare their first win against the PNG side.   

The Hunters with the inclusion of Mark Mexico on the bench, lose nothing in the aggression stakes.

With impact players led by Willie Minoga, Lawrence Tu’u and debutant Tiger Emery primed to back the intensity of the forwards, its set to be long day for the Pride.   

Marum gave little away about how his side would approach tomorrow’s game but it is likely the Pride will employ similar tactics to those used by Mackay and Central Queensland – to use their larger pack to roll through sets and give their backline use of the ball in good field position.

Marum preferred to stress to his men the importance of consistency in doing the little things right and working to their defensive patterns.

“We’ll just go about our same game plan with more intensity as we expecting all matches from here to be tougher than the last,” Marum said. 

With both teams already racking up 94 points each so far (only the fifth-placed Easts Tigers  have more with 114), fan can expect an entertaining clash with the Pride and Hunters both offensive-minded teams.

In another battle, Pride winger Justin Castelaro and Hunters centre Thompson Teteh are among the leading try-scorers with four each. A win for the Hunters will see them take the lead in the Q-Cup after only their fourth match. With the stakes that high and more fans expected at the ground tomorrow shapes up as the match of the round.

Q-Cup Round 4 fixtures: Sunshine Coast v Norths, Redcliffe v Easts, Mackay v Wynnum, Souths Logan v Tweed Heads, Burleigh v Ipswich.

PNG Today / The National