The SP PNG Hunters have announced that first home game tickets will go on sale at 9am this Monday morning 3rd March 2014.

Tickets will be available at Agmark Hardware Kokopo for the clubs opening home game of the Intrust Super Cup season at Kalabond Stadium on Saturday 8th March 2014.

PNGRFL Head Coach Michael Marum advised fans to get in early:

“It’s history in the making -­‐ for the first ever Intrust Super Cup match to be played at Kalabond Stadium. We are playing the reigning premiers so we expect Kalabond will be filled to capacity. If you don’t want to miss out I would advise fans to be at Agmark before 9am to snap up your tickets for the match. We want to see a full house of screaming PNG supporters backing us every minute of the match from start to finish.”

SP PNG Hunters CEO Brad Tassell said Season tickets are also still available:

“Season tickets can still be purchased if you don’t want to miss any home game this year and avoid lining up for each match, however will no longer be available after the first home game. There are many benefits for season ticket holders including not having to wait in line to purchase tickets for each game and the inclusion of two games for free as a season ticket holder. We will also be organising special season ticket holder fan days during the year that ONLY season ticket holders will be invited to attend. It certainly saves money and gives you a guaranteed ticket to every home game this year.”

Tassell said individual game tickets are very well priced for fans wanting to see the team in action:

“It was important to the PNGRFL board and management that fans have access to different levels of ticket pricing. Purchasing a season ticket has the added advance of paying for 10 games and getting 2 games free which is obviously a great incentive. General game day tickets start at K20 per adult and K10 for children, however we also have a family price of K50 per game for 2 adults and 2 children which works out at K12.50 per person. We think its great value to see high level rugby league and look forward to big crowds at home to support the boys.”

Season Tickets sales will close on Friday 7th March. 

Individual game tickets will be on sale from the 3rd March for the opening home game until sold out.

Individual Game Ticket Prices:

• Outer Adult @ K20 per game
• Outer Child @ K10 per game
• Outer Family @ K50 per game (2 x Adults, 2 x Children)
• Eastern Grandstand @ K70 per game
• Main Grandstand @ K100 per game
• Main Grandstand Premium @ K150 per game

Season Ticket Prices:

• Outer Adult @ K200 per season (12 home games)
• Outer Child @ K100 per season (12 home games)
• Eastern Grandstand @ K700 per season (12 home games)
• Main Grandstand @ K1,000 per season (12 home games)
• Main Grandstand Premium @ K1,500 per season (12 home games)

RUGBY league legends Wally Lewis and Andrew Johns are impressed with the establishment of the Papua New Guinea Hunters.
The two Australians NRL Immortals, who were special guests at the official launch of the SP Hunters in Port Moresby on Saturday night, believe the club has been built on a solid foundation and that augurs well for their future in the Queensland Cup.
Lewis and Johgns were part of a five-member delegation from Australia that included former Kangaroo Johnny Gibbs, who was the master of ceremony, QRL chief executive officer Rob Moore and Brendan O’Farell from the sponsor of the competition.  
“Joey (Andrew Johns) and I were very impressed, we’ve been super impressed,” said Lewis, a former Queensland and Australia captain, who is affectionately known as the King Wally.
Both players arrived on Friday and visited the Hunters camp at Bomana.
They saw the gymnasium there and said it was comparable to facilities NRL clubs enjoy in Australia.
“We’ve been blown away,” Johns, a former New South Wales and Australian halfback, said in giving his stamp of approval to the Hunters set-up.
They autographed balls and jerseys that were auctioned on the night to raise funds for the Hunters.
They spent yesterday morning at Kaugere Oval before flying out in the afternoon.
An equally resounding accolade came from Moore, who said the inaugural team had captured the imagination of rugby league followers in Queensland, Australia and PNG.
He officially welcomed Hunters into Australia’s leading second-tier competition.
The Q-Cup had 15 players from last season graduate into the NRL this year.
“We are interested in what difference this team will make,” Moore said.
The Hunters, who become the 13th team in the competition, open the season against Redcliffe on Sunday in what is a Channel 9 televised game. 
It is unclear which PNG TV station will relay the game, if at all. 

The National

Israel Eliab was last night named captain of the SP PNG Hunters 2014 Season; at a glittering season launch of ahead of the clubs opening game of the Intrust Super Cup against Redcliffe this Sunday.

Head Coach Michael Marum who said there were many potential candidates named Eliab as he had shown great leadership qualities from the first day the players moved into camp.

Eliab was humble in accepting the great honour to lead the team for the 2014 season saying the players are working very hard and will give their best all season for the clubs supporters and fans.

The club also debuted its 45second TVC ad to promote home games and events along with the clubs theme song and music clip which received rave reviews by all in attendance, including Intrust Super CEO Brendan O’Farrell and QRL CEO Rob Moore who praised the club on the professionalism shown already towards inclusion in the competition.

Minister for Sport Hon. Justin Tkatchenko made the keynote address at last nights event and reiterated the Governments full support of the SP PNG Hunters and Rugby League in PNG, stressing it was a long –term project and the country needed to show patience in rebuilding the game. He called on all of PNG to get right behind the club.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop was asked to announce the full 23-man SP PNG Hunters full squad and coaching staff and MC Johnny Gibbs then Auctioned the player’s jerseys and other items. Israel Eliabs was the most popular jersey fetching K6,500 while a limited edition framed and fully signed team jersey with team photo went for K11,000. A Qld Jersey signed by Immortal Wally Lewis also fetched K6,000.

The club will auction of one remaining player jersey on the PNG HUNTERS facebook page for supporters across the country to bid on this week. The jersey is signed by the entire SP PNG Hunters team and is an exact playing jersey worn by the players.

PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka said the night was all about thanking the clubs sponsors, the National Government and supporters and recognizing the coaching staff and players ahead of the opening game of the season this Sunday. 

The 18 man team to take on Redcliffe in the opening match of the clubs Intrust Super Cup Season will be named by Head Coach Michael Marum on Tuesday 25th February 2014.

THE Papua New Guinea Hunters’ captain will be announced at the club’s season launch on Saturday night at Dynasty Restaurant, Vision City.
The SP Hunters have completed their pre-season warm-up matches and now turn their attention to the season opener against Redcliffe on March 2.
Rugby league immortals Andrew Johns and Wally Lewis will be special guests at this historic event with most tables sold except for eight.
CEO Brad Tassell said the naming of the teams captain is another milestone for the club.
“It’s a great honour to be named the clubs inaugural captain and will be a special moment for the player who is named to lead his team into the 2014 Intrust Super Cup.”
“There are a number of candidates, however I am sure whoever Michael (Marum) and the coaching staff select will lead the team with pride and passion.”
The season launch will feature for the first time the club’s song performed live along with the new promotional video, auction of the players’ jerseys, interviews with head coach and players and special guests and Rugby league immortals Andrew Johns and Wally Lewis.
“It will be a fantastic night and the last chance for the PNG community to wish the players the best before the opening game of the season against the Redcliffe Dolphins on March 2.
“I would encourage businesses to snap up the last few tables and show your support of the club and the players.”
Tables are still available for the event and can be purchased by contacting Brad Tassell on 71114699 or[email protected]

The National

THE Central Queensland Capras have named their squad to take on the PNG Hunters at Browne Park this Saturday night.
 The SP Hunters, who spent the last two days in Cairns after their first hit-out against Northern Pride last Sunday were on their way by bus yesterday to Rockhampton for their second trial match.
Gladstone Valleys player Aaron Hall has been rewarded for his standout performance against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Miriam Vale with a spot in the 22-man squad.  
Frenchman Sebastien Martins has been named to make his debut for the club in the front-row position and Matt Mizzi will have to pass a fitness test on his hamstring to be included on the extended bench.
A huge crowd is expected at Browne Park to see the PNG Hunters play in Central Queensland for the first time.

THE Papua New Guinea Hunters small men have a huge job against a beefed up Central Queensland Capras in their second Intrust Super Cup rugby league trial match at Browne Park, Rockhampton tomorrow.
The SP Hunters, were buoyed by their first trial 26-18 win over last season’s minor premiers Northern Pride in Cairns last Sunday, but know the job will be harder this time.
The second outing will give Hunters coach Michael Marum a better idea on who will start in their season opener against the Redcliffe Dolphins on March 2 at the Dolphin Oval in Redcliffe.
The Capras who have signed Welsh international winger Rhys Williams, former Samoan international Smith Samau, former English Super League’s Catalans Dragon Sebastien Martins, Newcastle Knights Bobby Nona and talented Torres Strait Islander Clifford Betham from Cairns Brothers, will test the newcomers.
Marum said he did not know much about the Capras, but envisages a tougher outing after their close win over the Pride last week.
“Our halves and hooker play a strategic role in ensuring we run through our lines and game patterns that we have been practising,” Marum said.
Marum speaking by phone from Rockhamton yesterday said the trial was all about trying out all options available.

But everything stems from half-back Roger Laka, five-eighth Israel Eliab and rake Wartovo Puara Junior starting off on a good note.
“Our halves play a key role in ensuring our runners are taking the right options,” he added.
Marum (pictured) said with the inclusion of Noel Zemming, they will have full use of their 22 players, as the match will be played in quarters.
The game is expected to start at 7pm. Zemming was the only player who did not run against the Pride due to illness.
“Noel (Zemming) has recovered well and will come off the bench with Noel John and Lawrence Tu’u in those key positions.”
He said that winger George Benson has an issue with his ankle but it was nothing serious at this stage.
Marum said as long as the Hunters played according to the systems that they have in place, it will also help them to gauge the players’ ability to handle this level of competition.
Meanwhile, a huge crowd is expected at Browne Park to see the PNG Hunters play in Central Queensland for the first time.
Back in the side will be Capras enforcer Arlin Paki, who after an opportunity to mix it with NRL’s best wants more. The 26-year-old prop suited up for the Brisbane Broncos in their first NRL preseason trial last Saturday night.  Paki said he was looking forward to playing against the PNG Hunters.
Hunters: Adex Wera (full-back), Gary Lo, George Benson (wings), Thompson Teteh,  William Minoga (centres), Israel Eliab (five-eighth), Roger Laka (half-back), Essau Siune, Gonzella Urakusie (props), Wartovo Pauria Junior (hooker), Adam Korave, David Loko (second-row), Sebastian Pandia (lock), Noel Zemming, Noel John, Brandy Peter, Lawrence Tu’u (reserves).
The Capras: Hughie Stanley, Rhys Williams, Marco Delapena, Smith Samou, Mitch Zornig, Theeran Pearson, Blake Wallace, Sebastien Martins, Ian Webster, Arlin Paki, Guy Williams, Andrew Dale, Peter Gallen, Reece Baker, Brent Williams, John Clayton, Sam Pierce, Aaron Hall, Hayden Buckman, Bobby Nona, Liam Pickersgill, Matt Mizzey.

The National