Papua New Guinea Hunters

Papua New Guinea professional rugby league club, based in Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea Hunters

Club information
Full name| Papua New Guinea Hunters Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s)| The Hunters
Short name| PNG Hunters
Colours|  Gold
Black
Red
Founded| 2013; 12 years ago (2013)
Website| www.pnghunters.com
Current details
Ground(s)|

* National Football Stadium, 2016– (14,800)
* Kalabond Oval, 2014–2015
(7,000)

CEO| Scott Barker[1]
Chairman| Stan Joyce
Coach| Paul Aiton
Captain| Ila Alu
Competition| Hostplus Cup
Current season
Records
Premierships (2nd grade)| 1 (2017)
Minor premierships (2nd grade)| 1 (2017)
Most capped| 135 – Wartovo Puara

The Papua New Guinea Hunters (also referred to as PNG Hunters) are a professional rugby league football club based in Papua New Guinea. They were formed in December 2013 and compete in the Queensland Cup, a second tier competition in Australia.[2] The Hunters are the second Papua New Guinean side to enter the Queensland Cup following the Port Moresby Vipers who competed for two seasons in 1996 and 1997. Every Hunters match is shown live on national free-to-air television. The Hunters' home ground is the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby and their team colours are gold, black and red.[3] The Hunters won the Queensland Cup in 2017.

Since 2023, they are one of the feeder clubs for the Dolphins in the Australian National Rugby League and will be a feeder to the PNG NRL team in 2028.[4]

## Papua New Guinea NRL Bid

[edit]

The Australian Labor Party have pledged their support behind a PNG team entering the National Rugby League competition.[5] Papua New Guinea have introduced a National Schools Rugby League Championships[6] which started in 2019 to prepare its junior rugby league talent from the six year olds[7] to the Under 18 divisions for the future.[8] The PNG Government, Australian Government, PNGRFL and QRL signed an agreement which will see the Australian Government assisting to develop the sport in the country.[9] Titled 'Growing and Supporting Rugby League in Papua New Guinea', it is an Australian Government initiative to develop pathways for PNG teams[10] like the Hunters Under 21s[11][12][13] and Hunters Women's[9] to play in high-level Australian sporting competitions with a focus on female athlete development, wellbeing and education, and commercial sustainability under the three year program. The PNG Government have officially launched the Papua New Guinea NRL Bid to participate in the Australian NRL Competition as the 18th team.[14] Andrew Hill, former Canterbury Bulldogs and RLWC 2017 CEO will lead the PNG 2028 NRL Bid.[15] Womens, Under-19 boys, Under-19 girls national competitions will start from 2025 to 2027.[16]

## Strategic pathways partnership with Dolphins

[edit]

In May 2022, the PNG Hunters announced a strategic pathways partnership with the Dolphins that includes full NRL pre-season participation for four young Papua New Guinean players, beginning in the PNGNRL Digicel Cup, through to the PNG Hunters in the Hostplus Cup and then directly into the Australian NRL system.[17]

## Stadiums

[edit]

### Kalabond Oval

[edit]

Main article: Kalabond Oval

The Kalabond Oval which is in the town of Kokopo and has a capacity of 7,000 was the Hunters first home ground. The first ever home match in the Intrust Super Cup was against the defending champions Mackay Cutters on 8 March 2014 which the Hunters won 24-16. The ground was used for the club's first 2 seasons.

### National Football Stadium

[edit]

Main article: National Football Stadium

The National Football Stadium is in the capital city Port Moresby and after undergoing a major refurbishment it was announced in February 2016 that the Hunters would move to the ground for the 2016 season,[18] after they'd played one match there during the 2015 season against Souths Logan Magpies on 13 June 2015 winning 34-12.

## 2025 squad

[edit]

PNG Hunters  First team squad  |  | Coaching staff

|
|

* Morea Morea – FB

* Solo Wane – WG

* Brandon Nima – WG, CE (vc)

* Rob Mathias – CE

* Elijah Roltinga – WG, CE

* Finley Glare  – HK, SO

* Jamie Mavoko  – SO

* Epel Kapinias – PR, LK

* Trevor Solu  – HK

* Koso Bandi – PR, SR

* Benji Kot – CE, SR

* Limbi Henry  – SR

* Ila Alu – LK (c)

|  |

* Sanny Wabo  – FB

* Alex Max  – CE, SR

* Steven Bruno  – PR

* Jordan Pat  – SR

* Clent Lama  – CE

* Joshua Mire  – HB, SO

* Bradley Orosambo  – HB

* Gairo Voro  – SO

* Finley Muno  – WG

* Joshua Lau  – SO

* Manase Kai  – SR

* Cedric Kuli  – SR

* Himson Ulalom  – PR, SR

|  |

* Emmanuel Balio  – PR, SR

* Smith Pamundi  – PR, SR

* Vane Manuma  – PR, SR

* Seal Kalo  – PR, SR

|  |  |  |

Head coach

* Paul Aiton

Assistant coach

* Enoch Maki

* Scott Barker (CEO)

* Edward Guise (Strength and Conditioning Coach)

* Mong Tavol (Head Trainer)

* Butler Morris (Trainer)

* Simon Morris (Physiotherapist)

* * *

Legend:

* (c) Captain(s)
* (vc) Vice-captain(s)

* * *

Updated: 12 November 2024
Source(s): [19]

## Notable players

[edit]

* Justin Olam[20]
* Edwin Ipape[21]
* Rodrick Tai
* Sylvester Namo
* Judah Rimbu

## See also

[edit]

* New Guinea portal

* Rugby league in Papua New Guinea

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Hunters reappoint Barker to CEO role". 25 October 2021.
2. ^ "Papua New Guinea gain entry to Queensland Cup 2014". ABC News. 28 November 2013.
3. ^ Pangkatana, John (24 December 2013). "Q-Cup name unveiled". The National.
4. ^ https://www.thenational.com.pg/players-prioritised/
5. ^ "Sport: Australia's Labor commits to backing PNG team in NRL". 19 December 2018.
6. ^ "Schools league gets K6 million – the National".
7. ^ "League unveils mini mod concept". 5 May 2019.
8. ^ "K6 million windfall for schools, KPHL invigorates PNGRFL program". 17 June 2021.
9. ^ a b "Australia, PNG ink sport deal – the National".
10. ^ "Investment in game's future – the National".
11. ^ "Junior Hunters eyed – the National".
12. ^ "Vital to build on relocation – the National".
13. ^ "Golden chance". 29 March 2022.
14. ^ "Papua New Guinea launches bid to become NRL's 18th team". 4 May 2022.
15. ^ "2022: Papua New Guinea, Andrew Hill, PNG NRL Bid, Bulldogs, World Cup, Hill to lead PNG NRL Bid". NRL. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
16. ^ "League rolls out five-year plan – the National".
17. ^ "Hunters announce strategic pathways partnership with Dolphins". 19 May 2022.
18. ^ http://one.png.com/2016/02/national-football-stadium-is-new-home.html [permanent dead link]
19. ^ "Hunters kick off 2025 pre season". www.pnghunters.com. 12 November 2024.
20. ^ "Justin Olam - Storm". www.melbournestorm.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017.
21. ^ "Ipape re-signs with Leigh Centurions until 2025 – the National".

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Papua New Guinea Hunters on Facebook

* v
* t
* e

Papua New Guinea Hunters

Home grounds|

* Kalabond Oval
* PNG Football Stadium

Seasons|

* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* v
* t
* e

Rugby league in Papua New Guinea

Federation|

* Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League

National Teams|

* Men's (The Kumuls)
* Women's (PNG Orchids)
* PNG Prime Minister's XIII

Australian competition and Other teams|

* Papua New Guinea NRL team (NRL)
* PNG Hunters (Hostplus Cup)

Domestic Competitions|

* PNGNRL

PNG NRL Teams|

* Central Dabaris
* Enga Mioks
* Goroka Lahanis
* Gulf Isou
* Hela Wigmen
* Kimbe Cutters
* Lae Snax Tigers
* Mendi Muruks
* Mt Hagen Eagles
* Port Moresby Vipers
* Rabaul Gurias
* Waghi Tumbe

Previous Clubs|

* Sepik Pride
* Lae Bombers
* Madang Globetrotters
* Simbu Warriors
* TNA Simbu Lions
* Gulf Isapea
* Mastamak Rangers
* Popondetta Butterflies

PNGNRL Seasons|

* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

* v
* t
* e

Queensland Cup

Current clubs|

* Brisbane Tigers
* Burleigh Bears
* Central Queensland Capras
* Ipswich Jets
* Mackay Cutters
* Northern Pride
* Norths Devils
* Papua New Guinea Hunters
* Redcliffe Dolphins
* Souths Logan Magpies
* Sunshine Coast Falcons
* Townsville Blackhawks
* Tweed Heads Seagulls
* Western Clydesdales
* Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Previous clubs|

* Aspley Broncos
* Brisbane Brothers
* Brothers-Valleys
* Bundaberg Grizzlies
* Cairns Cyclones
* Gold Coast Vikings
* Logan Scorpions
* Mackay Sea Eagles
* North Queensland Young Guns
* Port Moresby Vipers
* Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles
* Townsville Stingers
* Toowoomba Clydesdales
* Wests Panthers

Seasons|

* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Related articles|

* Grounds
* Premiers
* Records
* Honours
* Wooden spooners
* National Rugby League reserves affiliations

NRL State Championship|

* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2023

* v
* t
* e

Rugby league in Queensland

Federation|

* Queensland Rugby League

Representative teams|

* Queensland Maroons
* Queensland women's
* Queensland Residents
* Queensland U-20
* Queensland U-18
* Queensland U-16
* Queensland women's U-19

NRL clubs|

| Current|

* Brisbane Broncos
* Dolphins
* Gold Coast Titans
* North Queensland Cowboys

|

Former|

* Gold Coast Giants/Seagulls/Chargers (1988-1998)
* South Queensland Crushers (1995-1997)

NRLW clubs|

* Brisbane Broncos
* Gold Coast Titans
* North Queensland Cowboys

Major competitions|

| Current state-wide leagues|

* Queensland Cup
* Women's Premiership
* Mal Meninga Cup (U18s)

|

Former state-wide leagues|

* State League (1982–1995)
* Cyril Connell Cup (2009–2016)
* Hastings Deering Colts (2018–2023)

Former first grade|

* Brisbane Rugby League premiership

Other leagues|

* Masters
* Police Services
* Primary School
* Secondary School
* Confraternity Carnival
* Universities

Northern Division|

* Foley Shield
* Cairns
* Mackay
* Mid West
* Mount Isa
* Remote Areas
* Townsville

Central Division|

* 47th Battalion Shield
* Capricorn Region
* Central Highlands
* Central West
* Rockhampton
* South West Region
* Border Rivers
* Roma
* Toowoomba
* Wide Bay Region
* Bundaberg
* Central Burnett
* Northern Districts
* South Burnett
* Sunshine Coast-Gympie

South-East Division|

* Bulimba Cup (defunct)
* Brisbane A-Grade
* Brisbane Second Division
* Women
* Ipswich
* Gold Coast
* FOGS Colts (Brisbane U20's)

Defunct leagues|

* Gladstone
* Western

Queensland Cup clubs|

* Brisbane Tigers
* Burleigh Bears
* Central Queensland Capras
* Ipswich Jets
* Northern Pride
* Mackay Cutters
* Norths Devils
* PNG Hunters
* Redcliffe Dolphins
* Souths Logan Magpies
* Sunshine Coast Falcons
* Townsville Blackhawks
* Tweed Heads Seagulls
* Western Clydesdales
* Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Queensland Cup seasons|

| State League|

* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995

|

Queensland Cup|

* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Representative competitions|

* State of Origin series
* Interstate Series (defunct)

Clubs|

* List of rugby league clubs in Queensland by competition

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