The SP PNG Hunters will hold what could potentially be a farewell match at Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay this Saturday at 3pm when they host the Townsville Blackhawks in Round 18 of the QRL Hostplus Cup.
The Hunters are expected to return home to PNG in the coming weeks as they mark the end to a two-and-a-half year relocation period, meaning this weekend’s game could be the last time the Hunters play at their ‘home-away-from-home’ at Bycroft Oval.
The Hunters’ last outing was a disappointing 44-6 loss to competition heavyweights the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Brimming with NRL experience and firmly entrenched inside the top four, the Falcons were too good for the Hunters last week but that didn’t prevent PNG from fighting until the final whistle.
The PNG side gets a chance to respond this weekend when they take on the 10th placed
Blackhawks on Saturday.
The Hunters will have fond memories of the Blackhawks, having travelled to Townsville earlier the season and ambushing the locals 42-20 in a high-scoring affair.
The PNG side played to their strengths in that game, compressing the middle with hard running forwards
and changing their angles in attack to target spaces around ruck.
Dilbert Issac, Sylvester Namo and Emmanuel Waine were standouts for the Hunters in that game, combining for a total 370 running metres, three tries, and 14 tackle busts.
Issac remains in the casualty ward this week but Namo and Waine have been two of PNG’s bestthis season and profile as key forwards for the Hunters again on Saturday.