Hunters 2016

[Ryan Chidgey]

From their website

Two SP Hunters players have been given “train and trial” opportunities with NRL clubs while the third has been contracted to another Intrust Super Cup club.

Kato Ottio has joined the Canberra Raiders while Warren Clare is bound for Cronulla Sharks on “train & trial” engagements.

Boom forward Willie Minoga, who served as a valuable impact player off the bench, has been signed up by 2015 grand finalists Townsville Blackhawks.

PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka released the details today adding that the news is a great boost for the SP Hunters as they prepare for their third season in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup competition.

But Tsaka reminded the players that they would have to lift their work-rate as there were other players in the clubs they were linked with who were in intense competition to impress for long-term contracts for the future.

“We are very proud of what the boys have achieved which is a big plus for the programs we have in place such as the Hunters but it is just the part of the step and more hard work is in store for them as push towards getting full-time contracts,” Tsaka said.

Ottio and Clare’s “train & trial” stints follows Wartovo Paura and Thompson Tete’s six-week attachment with Souths Sydney last year.

The duo returned much better players and were instrumental in the SP Hunters impressive run to finish one game shy of the 2015 grand final play-offs.

That performance has also received praise from just recently engaged PNGRFL CEO Cutmore, who said it was a wonderful effort from coach Michael Marum considering the many challenges the Hunters had to overcome.

Cutmore who took up his post last month said that the SP Hunters being the team that travelled much longer distances compared to most of the 11 teams in the competition throughout the season, didn’t let them deter them as they ended finishing the regular season in second spot.

“They (SP Hunters) deserve better...they deserve a lot more credit than what they have been getting,” Cutmore said as he announced that preparations for the 2016 was being finalised with the squad to assemble next week for pre-season training.

He said coach Michael Marum and his coaching staff had a done wonderful job so not much would change except for some slight alterations to be announced as soon as the squad assembles in Port Moresby next week.

Cutmore said the Hunters was to create a pathway for players to advance to the elite level and if the players got scouted and engaged by overseas clubs – that would be a bonus for the program as it would open up spots for other young men to step up to have a shot at making the Hunters team.

Meanwhile coach Marum has announced his 2016 squad, which assembles in Port Moresby for the November 24 pre-season start.

The squad is as attached -
- Adex Wera
- Adam Korave
- Noel Zeming
- Edward Goma
- Brandy Peter
- David Lapua
- Stargroth Amean
- Bland Abavu
- Nixon Borana
- Thompson Teteh
- Enoch Maki
- Wartovo Puara
- Henry Wan
- Esau Siune
- Ase Boas
- Ate Bina Wabo
- Timothy Lomai

New Inclusions:
- Konnie Bernard
- Justin Olam
- BJ Wanamis
- Rex Yallon
- Sailas Gahuna
- Ismael Waine
- J Ragi
-P Kimiseve
- Tuvi Lepan
- Bernard Lama
- Watson Boas
- Ishamel Balkawa
- Anderson Benford
- Gonzella Urakusie
- Mafu Kalas
- Benjamin Hetra
- Sam Maniat
- Leon Lati
- Enock Siune



No eliab?

 

[East Coast Tiger]

He was linked with the knights but I don't know if they signed him or not.

No Lo though.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Just heard on PNG Radio that Eliab is going to the UK to join the London Broncos.

Gary Lo is also heading that way to the Sheffield Eagles.

 

[morningstar]

Article on the Kato Ottio on trial at the raiders...

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...al-with-canberra-raiders-20151119-gl2ous.html

The Canberra Raiders are casting their eye over a PNG international who has only been playing rugby league for the past 12 months with the potential of handing him a second-tier contract next season.

Kato Ottio arrived in Canberra on Monday to begin a training deal with the Raiders during the pre-season.


The 21-year-old can play on the wing, in the centres or in the second-row and has impressed coaching staff with his natural athleticism.

Ottio, who is 1.92 metres and tips the scales at 106 kilograms, represented his country in volleyball before being spotted at a rugby union sevens tournament last year.

He trialled with the PNG Hunters and played 19 games in the Queensland Cup this year, catching the attention of Raiders recruitment manager Peter Mulholland.

"Peter Mulholland brought him in for some training and he's got some skill in him,"

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said. "He's a little bit of project and it's a good opportunity for him.

"All his physical statistics show he's a great athlete."

Stuart said Ottio had a "really good opportunity" to secure a second-tier contract with the club, but they wouldn't be putting any pressure on him.

"We're not getting any real great goals for him as yet, we'll let him find his feet," Stuart said.

"The physical side of it is quite a shock to him, but he's handling it very well.

"If we can turn him into a footballer, more the better."

The Raiders could give Ottio his chance in the Auckland Nines tournament in February before their two pre-season trial games.

An NRL contract would cap a massive rise for a player who was only given a train and trial deal with the Hunters this time last year.

PNG Rugby League interim chief executive Shane Morris said Ottio had improved in leaps and bounds since he was spotted at the end of last year.

"We saw him play volleyball and in a game of rugby union sevens, so asked him to come into our camp," Morris said.

"From there, he impressed with the ability to play wing, centre or second row.

"We've done a fair bit of work on him with his ball skills and his running technique.

"Hopefully he grabs this opportunity with both hands and it leads to bigger and better things.

"It's a credit to Kato the athlete he is and he would be a great asset to the Canberra Raiders."

Ottio is one of the first players spotted by Mulholland since he joined the Raiders at the end of October.

Mulholland has previously worked in recruitment at Penrith, Canterbury, Newcastle and the St George Illawarra Dragons.

He replaced David Hamilton, who has joined the Gold Coast Titans.

 

[Bronco Rob]

We are starting to see the fruits of the Hunters expansion into the QRL, just imagine if we could see the Fijian side in the NSWRL, the talent unearthed would be huge.

As I've said ad nausea on this forum the NRL/ESL should introduce salary cap exemptions for players from these developing nations to give clubs more incentive to sign these players. This would also help strengthen their respective National sides which would strengthen the World Cup, it really is a no-brainer!

 

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/98495

Eliab opts for UK

Source:
The National, Friday November 20th, 2015

PAPUA New Guinea Hunters captain Israel Eliab will play for the London Broncos next year after agreeing to a one-year contract last Friday.

Former Hunters winger Gary Lo has also penned a deal with English the second division side, Sheffield Eagles.

Eliab, who completed two seasons with the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Hunters in Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup (ISC) competition, has opted to play in the English second division but according to Hunters coach Michael Marum, the five-eighth would be looking to eventually move up to the Super League.

“I think Izzy will do well at that level. The English second division is probably not the same as the Queensland Cup.

“I’m sure he’ll perform and then who knows maybe get a chance in the Super League,” Marum, pictured, said from Kokopo yesterday.

“We only started talks with them (Broncos) last month but things were confirmed last week.
“I exchanged a few emails with the London Broncos coach (Joe Grima) and along with Izzy’s manager Sam Ayoub, who’s based in Sydney, they all agreed to the one-year deal.
“They’re just completing the paper work but I expect Izzy to be in the UK (United Kingdom) by late next month or early January. In the mean time, he’ll still train with us (Hunters) when we start our pre-season training this week in Port Moresby.”

A dangerous ball-runner, Eliab, 24, has represented the country at the last World Cup (2013), won a Digicel Cup title with the Port Moresby Vipers in 2012, played for the PNG Prime Minister’s XIII side (2012-2014), played for the Kumuls in a test against Fiji on the Gold Coast in May and led the Hunters to second place on the ISC ladder and their first finals in only their second year.
He also won the ISC five-eighth of the year for 2014 and 2015.

On Lo, Marum said he had been in constant contact with his former charge and was happy he was getting a second chance with the Eagles after spending a year with the Hagen Eagles in the Digicel Cup “learning some valuable lessons”.

Marum admitted it would be hard to replace Eliab but said he was sure there was talent in the 36-man squad named last Thursday.

“Of course it’s going to be tough replacing a player like Israel but we’ve got experienced guys in the squad that we’ve retained and there are some young prospects coming through as well,” Marum said.

“The good thing is that the Hunters programme is giving our players opportunities in Australia and now England.

“When these guys get contracts and move out their places are then taken up by players coming up from the Digicel Cup so instead of waiting two or three years for a chance in the Hunters they get their chance sooner.

“Everyone – the players getting contracts and leaving and those coming into the Hunters – has been told that the work doesn’t stop now that they are in the team. They have to keep on working hard, developing their careers because it just keeps getting tougher.”
Marum said Eliab’s contract as well as Lo’s move to Sheffield, the “trial and train” stints that Kato Ottio (Canberra Raiders) and teenager Warren Glare (Cronulla Sharks) had secured, and forward Willie Minoga’s move to the Townsville Blackhawks boded well for PNG rugby league heading into the 2017 World Cup.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Another Hunters player on the move.

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.a...blackhawks-bench/story-fnjfzr2z-1227621528157

Willie Minoga adds impact to Blackhawks bench

HARD-running Townsville Blackhawks recruit Willie Minoga looms as the man to ignite the club’s sophomore Intrust Super Cup campaign.

Minoga has been a fan favourite for the Papua New Guinea Hunters over the past two years where his bulldozing runs and aggressive defence have earned him the nickname “Freight Train”.

The 28-year-old’s strength, agility, and athleticism caught the attention of the Blackhawks, who stormed to the minor premiership in their debut season only to fall just short in the grand final against the innovative Ipswich Jets.

Coach Kristian Woolf believed Townsville had lacked impact off the bench and he hoped Minoga’s devastating ball carries would add another dimension to the team in 2016.

“Not pigeonholing him in to being a bench player, but he offered a lot of impact for the Hunters last year and it was something that we felt we lacked all year,” Woolf said.


“He was a real fan favourite for the Hunters last year and we’re hoping he can be the same for us.

“He runs the ball with some real aggression, defends with some real aggression, and from what I know of him the last couple of days he’s a really good personality as well.

“I think our fans will really warm to him and he brings something we just didn’t have last year with that impact off the bench. I’m really hoping he can add a new dimension to our game in that sense as well.”

Woolf felt the Blackhawks were already in a stronger position to this time last year with a full season under their belts.

 

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.eurosport.co.uk/rugby-le...ffield-eagles_sto5000230/story.shtml#uk-fb-sh

Garry Lo adds to Papua New Guinea contingent at Sheffield Eagles


Sheffield Eagles will rely on significant Papua New Guinea influence in their bid to gain promotion to Super League in 2016.

Winger Garry Lo, 22, will join his PNG international team-mates Menzie Yere and Mark Mexico at the Eagles after agreeing a three-year contract.

Lo, who played with Mexico at Newcastle Thunder in 2015, becomes Sheffield's eighth new signing following their decision to go full-time in the Kingstone Press Championship.
"Garry is someone we have known about for some time," Eagles director of rugby Mark Aston said. "He is explosive, he is powerful and he can score tries. "He is a winger who is still very young and, like a lot of our signings, he still has great potential to improve."

 

[siv]

Think Hunter and Fiji should setup a Pacific RL club competition

 

[deal.with.it]

Yeah should be feasible. How long is it between fiji and png? Half hour bus ride? Seems affordable

 

[mikail-eagle]

1. Highlights of Townsville Blackhawks bound Hunters 2nd Rower Willie Minoga

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FlYoFlkP48


2. Highlights of London Broncos Bound Hunters Five-eight Isreal Eliab

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z9ujhdmcbE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY2sCHBTVNc


3. Highlights of Sheffield Eagles Bound Hunters Winger Gary Lo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tneNhNx-Th4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM5zSGH73qc

 

[mikail-eagle]

Couple of the new boys pulling out of camp.

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/99037


Hunters lose duo

Source:
The National, Wednesday December 2nd, 2015
By MELTON PAIS

HUNTERS coach Michael Marum has confirmed that one player from the 36-men squad has left the pre-season training camp because of work commitments, and another is soon to follow.

Goroka Lahanis prop Gonzella Urakusie returned to Goroka last weekend, while Enga Mioks captain Rex Yallon is expected to leave for Wabag, Enga, this week.

Marum said Urakusie and Yalon were not the only players who had to decide between their jobs or education and playing for the Hunters. Hela Wigmen prop Benjamin Hetra, who is a lawyer by profession, could leave camp if he decides to put his law career ahead of the Hunters opportunity.

Yallon, who is a surveyor by profession, attained his Bachelor’s degree in surveying from the University of Technology in Lae, Morobe.
The 23-old Engan graduated earlier this year after completing the four-year course.
Yallon debuted in the Digicel Cup with Lae Tigers in 2012 while doing his third year in his discipline. He has been given a position in the Works Department branch in Enga.
“I just started work this year and really I can’t let it go,” Yalon said.
“I think I need to work at my profession and get some experience before I think about playing representative or high level football.”

Yallon said he was grateful to be considered good enough for an opportunity with Marum’s side but he had already committed himself to his position in the public service in Enga.
“It’s always been my dream to wear a Hunters jumper and one day I will but my work commitment is there,” Yallon said.

“This doesn’t mean I’m forgoing my rugby league career.
“I will still play for the Mioks while working and if the situation allows later on, I will make myself available for selection in their train-on squad maybe in 2017.”

Marum said the players, especially those who had studied to get university degrees and other tertiary qualifications, had important decisions to make regarding committing totally to the Hunters or pursuing their careers.
Props Enoch Maki and Henry Wan have university degrees while winger Justin Olam is another Digicel Cup player, who has been juggling school and rugby league for the past two seasons.

He said he understood their commitments to their families, their professions.
Marum said despite the losing two men he had no plans yet to bring any new players into the squad.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Another player who might pull out.

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/99615

Law or league, Hetra’s big call

Source:
The National, Monday December 14th, 2015
By MELTON PAIS

Benjamin Hetra may be a qualified lawyer but the powerfully built front-rower is willing to put his legal career on the backburner to indulge his passion for rugby league.

The 26-year-old maybe a late bloomer but has been one of the best props going around in the Digicel Cup over the last two seasons playing for the Hela Wigmen.

The man known as “Benji” finally got his reward this year with selection into Michael Marum’s 36-man pre-season Hunters squad but the 107kg, 185cm, forward faces a tough choice.
“I have a passion for rugby league and it has always been a dream of mine to play representative football while I was a boy growing up in Mendi (Southern Highlands),” Hetra said.

Hetra may be enjoying his time in the Hunters camp but he will have to decide if he wants to indulge his passion for league or get down to business and start his legal career.
That decision may be made for him if he does not make the final cut for Marum’s 25-man sqaud.

But the man of mixed Hela and Southern Highlands parentage says playing league at a high level is about achieving a personal goal.
“I started playing rugby league in primary school and progressed to secondary school and then to university (UPNG).
“In university, I was playing in offseason competitions and not fully committed because of studies but I always enjoyed playing.
“I decided to have a serious go after graduating from Legal Training Institute (LTI) in 2013.”
In 2014, Hetra made the Wigmen squad after a strong Ipatas Cup campaign for the Irai Lai.

Hetra ticked one of his boxes for achievements that year when the Wigmen won the Digicel Cup beating the Agmark Gurias in the final played in Lae.
Hetra says he decided to remain with the Wigmen to defend the cup and see if he could make a representative team.

He ticked off another box this year when he was named in the PNG Prime Minister’s XIII after the Wigmen finished fourth in the Digicel Cup.
Making the Hunters preseason squad was another box ticked and the powerfully-built Hetra is happy to cast his hat in the bidding for a prop’s berth in the final squad.
It will not be easy with Esau Siune, Enoch Maki and even Timothy Lomai, the main contenders for the position.
“I am happy with how far I have come in rugby league.”
Hetra acknowledged his Wigmen coaches Andiki Andrew and Stanley Hodina for their in-put and added that his father Hetra Hekele and elder brother Andy were supportive of his education and sport.
“My advice to youngsters is to make sure you have a fall back plan when you decide to commit to a sport. Education should be the priority but that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy football.”

 

[yakstorm]

It's really encouraging to see that again the Hunters are helping increase the overall PNG playing base.

Whilst of course the desire would be to have as many Kumul eligible players running around in Super League or the NRL, the growth on PNG players in the Championship and Queensland Cups are going to help the Kumuls build a decent base and promote competition between positions.