Papua New Guinea Hunters hit the big time with a win and a song TODD BALYM THE COURIER-MAIL MARCH 02, 2014 6:34PM SHARE expand Share on facebook YOUR FRIENDS ACTIVITY NEW! Discover news with your friends. Give it a try. To get going, simply connect with your favourite social network: Facebook Ads By Google Cholesterol StudyLooking for People with Cardiovascular Disease. Learn more.clinlife.au/High_Cholesterol SP PNG HUNTERS PROMOTIONAL CLIP mashery.news.au/image/v1/external?url=content6.video.news.au/RidjJ5azpnbZp7wMEpytFECr3MCQia-6/promo218072387&width=650&api_key=kq7wnrk4eun47vz9c5xuj3mc SP PNG Hunters have released a tourism style promotional clip, showcasing the clubs home base for the next two years in Kokopo. AUTOPLAY ON OFF Wartovo Puara in action for the Papua New Guinea Hunters. Picture: Brad CooperWartovo Puara in action for the Papua New Guinea Hunters. Picture: Brad Cooper Source: News Corp Australia SP PNG Hunters promotional clipWartovo Puara in action for the Papua Ne... IT was the day the Hunters became instant national heroes. Papua New Guinea’s historic Intrust Super Cup debut ended in remarkable and joyous scenes at Dolphin Oval yesterday with a 24-18 victory over Redcliffe that sent shock waves through the competition and made a nation go “crazy.” Prime Minister Peter O’Neill immediately sent a text message of congratulations and hundreds of PNG supporters flooded the ground after the final siren to celebrate a momentous debut victory. Players were mobbed and posed for photos for half an hour after the game and will today return to Port Moresby where a heroes’ welcome will greet them upon arrival. After the disastrous World Cup campaign by the Kumuls last year, the Hunters have immediately restored pride in the proud rugby league nation. If PNG can knock off a powerhouse club like Redcliffe at home, then the Hunters could become the big upset collectors of the competition. They played an entertaining and tough brand of football that will spark enormous interest in the competition and no doubt pique the interest of NRL talent scouts. Skipper Israel Eliab was almost reduced to tears after the game, he will go down in history as the club’s first ever try scorer and captain of their first ever win. “I’m very, very proud. First try scorer and the captain too for the first time. I’m very shocked and very proud and overjoyed,” Eliab said. “Words cannot explain. It is a big win and it’s a big thing for our country, we will go back like heroes back home.” SP PNG HUNTERS: CLUB SONG mashery.news.au/image/v1/external?url=content6.video.news.au/NtdzJ5azr6tx8mnTD79YanQauWo5XO-A/promo218072584&width=650&api_key=kq7wnrk4eun47vz9c5xuj3mc SP PNG Hunters have released a music video of their club song, showcasing the clubs home base for the next two years in Kokopo. Coach Michael Marum said he was impressed by the defensive effort of his team, holding the Dolphins to just three tries when at times it appeared Redcliffe would come home over the top. Lock forward Sebastian Pandia was named man of the match while hooker Wartovo Puara, halfback Roger Laka and fullback Adex Wera were other standouts in a well-rounded team performance. The Hunters host reigning premiers Mackay Cutters at their home ground in Kokopo next week and Marum knows he must keep the team’s focus for the long season ahead. “We still have to remind the players that we’ve got a long season and we’ve won one game, that’s good, but our focus now is the second game and training firstly,” Marum said. “A lot of media around the country were pissed off with the performance of the players and overall the team (at the World Cup), but I think this is probably one way of getting those supporters back into the game.” Yesterday’s victory and indeed every ISC game will be screened live on national television in PNG and next week’s clash with the Cutters is set to draw at least 10,000 fans. Sports Minister Justin Tkachencko was among the travelling contingent at Redcliffe for the game and embraced Marum shortly after the final siren. “The boys have worked extra, extra hard for this and it’s vindication for the hard work they have put into it,” Tkachencko said. “It is a brand new day for rugby league in Papua New Guinea. “The country has gone crazy, the Prime Minister just texted me and said well done to everybody and it’s fantastic. We’re very proud. “(The World Cup) was a huge disappointment so I’m a very happy Minister to get a run on the board for our team and look forward to many more wins and Queensland be warned, the Hunters are on the move. “If we can win it here we have to show the home crowd we can win there as well.”
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 02:27:53 +0000
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