PNG Hunters v Townsville Blackhawks round 12 preview

In round 12 of the Intrust Super cup, the  PNG Hunters will play the Blackhawks for the Air Niugini Cup this weekend, with the airline putting up the perpetual trophy to help commemorate the recently launched direct flights between Port Moresby and Townsville. “The Cup will be played for on an annual basis and will encourage our fellow country folk living in and around Townsville, supporters of the Blackhawks as well as the business and corporate community to travel to Port Moresby,” Air Niugini CEO Simon Foo said.

 On the field, the Hunters will be confident of continuing their winning run, as they have won both games played in PNG against the Blackhawks. In addition to winning their past four games, Townsville have been strong on the road and have taken the two points in four of their past five away games. However, top try-scorer Jonathon Reuben has been ruled out with injury. This weekend, Blackhawks hooker Anthony Mitchell will feature in his 100th Cup game, with the former NRL player having previously played with Mackay who won the premiership in 2013.

 The Teams
PNG Hunters

1. Stargroth Amean 2. Bland Abavu 3. Israel Eliab 4. Adex Wera 5. Wawa Paul 6. Ase Boas (c) 7. Watson Boas 8. Wellington Albert 9. Wartovo Puara 10. Esau Siune 11. Nixon Putt 12. Willie Minoga 13. Stanton Albert 14. Silas Gahuna 15. Rahdly Brawa 16. Enock Maki 17. Moses Meninga 18. Brandy Peter 19. Ishamel Baikawa 20. Butler Morris

Coach: Michael Marum

Townsville Blackhawks

1. Carlin Anderson 2. Samsen O’Neill 3. Temone Power 4. Davin Crampton 5. Jonathon Reuben 6. Kyle Laybutt 7. Michael Parker-Walshe 8. Sam Hoare 9. Anthony Mitchell 10. Corey Jensen 11. Blake Leary 12. Andrew Niemoeller 13. Daniel Beasley (c) 14. Kierran Moseley 15. Jordan Kenworthy 16. Sione Lousi 22. Oshae Tuiasau

Coach: Kristian Woolf

National Football Stadium on Sunday, May 28 - 3pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: PNG 3 Townsville 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvTSVB