Some familiar faces and fan favourites have returned to help boost the PNG Hunters in season 2021.
The Hunters, now preparing for the season ahead at their new 'home away from home' at the Gold Coast Performance Centre, will have the experience of premiership-winning half Watson Boas to help guide them during the early stages of the season after he was granted permission to play in the Intrust Super Cup by his English club Doncaster.
Hunters lock Alu shows off home away from home
Fellow premiership winner Wartovo Puara Jr is also back from the United Kingdom, while exciting utility Edwin Ipape has signed on for the 2021 season.
Ipape, a PNG Kumuls international, spent the 2020 pre-season training with Manly Sea Eagles and his experience of the NRL system will be a boost for the young Hunters squad.
The 2021 squad features 11 new faces selected from the Digicel Cup, with Jokedi Bire, Norman Brown, Edwin Ipape, Benji Kot, Sylvester Namo, Gilmor Paul, Solomon Pokare, Judah Rimbu, Jeffery Robert, Solo Wane and Samuel Yegip named to join the more experienced players.
The Hunters will play their first game of the 2021 Intrust Super Cup season at Runaway Bay's Bycroft Oval on Saturday against Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Match: Hunters v WM Seagulls
Round 1 -
home Team
Hunters
9th Position
away Team
WM Seagulls
6th Position
Venue: Bycroft Oval, Gold Coast
PNG Hunters 2021 gains and losses
Gains: Solomon Pokare, Judah Rimbu, Jokadi Bire, Benji Kot, Samuel Yegip, Jeffery Robert, Sylvester Namo, Edwin Ipape, Norman Brown, Gilmo Paul, Solo Wane, Watson Boas, Wartovo Puara Jnr
Losses: Shane Nigel, Joe Frank, Patrick Morea, Rhadley Brawa, Junior Rop, Steven Bruno, Justin Yoka, Nicky Oliver, Francis Takai, Roy Elison, Casey Dickson
*Submissions made by clubs and correct at time of publication.
