PNG Hunters v Burleigh Bears Preview

Rounding off Round 22 is a massive Sunday afternoon clash between two teams destined for the 2016 Intrust Super Cup semi-finals. With the home ground advantage, the PNG Hunters will be strongly tipped to record their 26th straight win at home. And if the result falls their way, Michael Marum’s Hunters will draw to within one point of the league leading Bears. However, Burleigh fans shouldn’t despair as the Gold Coast team’s form on the road has been nothing short of superb this year.

 They have won eight of their nine away games (only loss to Redcliffe) to stamp themselves as a genuine premiership contender following a lengthy period in the finals wilderness. Burleigh did also beat the Hunters 20-18 in Round 8 at Pizzey Park this year. The Hunters weren’t overly convincing on their home patch last weekend, needing a 78th minute Ase Boas penalty goal to get over the line against the plucky Ipswich Jets. In milestone news, Bears halfback Jamal Fogarty requires three points to bring up 400 in the Cup.

PNG Hunters

1. Oti Tony 2. Butler Morris 3. Justin Olam 4. Thompson Teteh 5. Adex Wera 6. Ase Boas 7. Wartovo Puara 8. Enock Maki 9. Warren Glare 10. Esau Siune 11. Timothy Lomai 12. Adam Korave (c) 13. Brandy Peter 14. Gahuna Silas 15. Ishamel Baikawa 16. Benjamin Hetra 17. Watson Boas 18. Atte Bina 19. Edward Goma 20. Tuvi Lepan

Coach: Michael Marum

Burleigh Bears

1. Kurtis Rowe 2. Waka Wanahi 3. Sami Sauiluma 4. Connor Broadhurst 5. Oliver Regan 6. Daniel Schwass 7. Jamal Fogarty (c) 8. Luke Page 9. Patrick Politoni 16. Joshua Ailaomai 11. Jamie Dowling (c) 12. Hayden Schwass 13. Jeffrey Lynch 10. Paterika Vaivai 15. Lachlan Burr 17. Louis Fanene 18. Nathaniel Peteru 19. Anthony Gray 20. Parahi Wilson

Coach: Jim Lenihan


PNG Hunters v Burleigh Bears
National Football Stadium on Sunday, August 7 – 3.05pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: PNG 3 Burleigh 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvBEARS