SP PNG Hunters coach Matt Church says the high standard of the Digicel Cup is already
proving a benefit for his team as they prepare for their Intrust Super Cup clash with the
Ipswich Jets tomorrow.
The Hunters surprised the competition last weekend with they almost toppled Wynnum
Manly Seagulls in a stirring fightback in the opening round clash at Bycroft Oval at Runaway
Bay.
The Hunters return to Bycroft Oval at 3pm tomorrow to take on a Jets team that fell to
Townsville Blackhawks last weekend.
The Hunters had been expected by some commentators to struggle early after a challenging
preparation including 31 days in quarantine, preventing them from playing any trial
matches.
But Church says the impressive form of the likes of debutant prop Samuel Yegip last
weekend proved that the Digicel Cup had helped the Hunters prepare for this season.
Yegip’s debut performance carried on from his man-of-the-match effort in the Digicel Cup
grand final last season when he ploughed through the Lae Snax Tigers’ defence in the 77th
minute to win the premiership for the Hela Wigmen.
With the game on the line, Yegip tucked the ball under his left arm and barged 15 metres
straight ahead, past four tacklers and into Digicel Cup history with a stunning try.
“One of the upsides of not playing Intrust Super Cup last year (because of COVID) was that
our squad played in the Digicel Cup and it proved to be a really good competition,” Church
said.
“Samuel Yegip is a great example of that. He was very good for us against Wynnum Manly
and he was able to step up to this level because of his hard work for the Hela Wigmen.
“He runs straight and hard for us and he’s one of the promising players making their way
through the system in PNG to go on to higher levels. The Hunters program is a key step on
that path.”
Church is looking forward to a return to warmer weather this weekend with temperatures
expected to reach 30 degrees following the end to a few cool and miserable days of rain.
The Hunters have a strong record against the Jets, winning eight of their 12 matches over
the years. However, the Jets have won the last two clashes between the teams with their
well-known attacking style of football.
“We know that they’re predictably unpredictable so we don’t expect that to change this
weekend,” Church said.
“They will chance their arm in attack and we have to work together in defence to defuse
that.
“But we continue to spend most of our planning on our own tactics. We’re still coming off
that time in quarantine so we’re going to keep getting better as the season continues.
“The players feel good and they’re ready to go for this second game.”
SP PNG HUNTERS: Terry Wapi, Rau Kobale, Brandon Nima, Jokadi Bire, Brendon Gutuno, Watson
Boas, Charlie Simon, Epel Kapinias, Wartova Puara Jnr, Samuel Yegip, Ben Kelly, Keven Appo, Ila Alu
(capt). Interchange: Edwin Ipape, Sylvester Namo, Mark Piti, Judah Rimbu. Coach: Matt Church.
IPSWICH JETS: Jayden Connors, Peter Gubb, Ben White, Jordan Carriera, Richard Pandia, Josh
Cleeland, Julian Christian, Tyson Lofipo, Kierran Moseley, Nat Neale (capt), Tyler Coburn, Zac
Hetherington, Blake Lenehan. Interchange: Ono So’oialo, Hugh Sedger, Todd White, Timote Paseka.
Coach: Keiron Lander.
Match officials: Jacob Whitehouse, Ben Watts, Matt Colclough.
Kick-off at 3pm, Saturday 27 March 2021, Bycroft Oval.
