Aiton is assistant coach of Hunters

The National Sports

KUMULS legend and former Penrith Panthers rake Paul Aiton has been named SP Hunters coach Matthew Church’s deputy for the upcoming Queensland Intrust Super Cup season.
The 35-year-old’s appointment was announced with the final 29-man squad – which boasts seven rookies from the Hela Wigmen, three from Lae Tigers and one from Kimbe Cutters – yesterday.
“Aiton was Kumul No.214, a former captain who represented PNG on 12 occasions and has more than 250 games of experience at the National Rugby League and English Super League level,” Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka said.
“He is in Queensland and he will link with the team when they exit the isolation period.”
Wigmen forward and University of PNG final-year business management student Valentine Culligan was a late withdrawal from the squad which will be based on the Gold Coast in Australia for the upcoming season.
The rookies are Judah, Rimbu, Samuel Yegip, Norman Brown, Gilmo Paul, Solomon Pokari, Solo Wane, Jeffery Robert (Wigmen), Jokedi Bire, Sylvester Namo, Edwin Ipape (Tigers) and Kimbe Cutter Benji Kot.
“In naming the 29, I’d also like to acknowledge the six players who didn’t make the final squad who are, Ricko Jimmy (Gulf Isou), Rhadley Brawa (Enga Mioks), Sunny Lipu (Enga Mioks), Ben Kennedy (Enga Mioks), Culligan (Wigmen) and Jordan Pat (Rabaul Gurias),” Church said.
“It’s a tough conversation as a rugby league coach and it’s one that you don’t look forward to, but it’s best to be honest.
“It’s not a flat ‘no’ but a ‘not now’ situation and we encouraged them to keep working hard and playing well in the Digicel Cup.”
Church said the squad was selected on the way they wanted to play this season.
“The suitability to the Hunters’ playing style and the introduction of some new game rules were major considered when finalising the squad,” he said.
“Our guys show a lot intent on the ball, they’re very fast.
“So we can take advantage of the new rules with our ability to play over the advantage line.”
Church said Queensland-based players may join the squad if need be. Squad: Stanton Albert, Ila Alu, Kevin Appo, Jokedi Bire, Ase Boas, Norman Brown, Casey Dickson, Brendon Gotuno, Edwin Ipape, Joe Joshua, Epel Kapinias, Benji Kot, Enock Maki, Sylvester Namo, Brendan Nima, Stanley Olo, Gilmo Paul, Mark Pitti, Solomon Pokari, Wartovo Puara Jr, Junior Rau, Judah Rimbu, Jeffery Robert, Junior Rop, Charlie Simon, Emmanuel Waine, Solo Wane, Terry Wapi, Samuel Yegip.

9 comments

  • The Great Marcus Bai need not be in the Hunters team at all to uplift the Hunters performance.
    He is PNG Rugby League’s greatest living legend and all that our young boys in the Hunters team have to do is simply burst their guts and continue running even with empty stomach and stripped and torn pants to make a name for themselves.
    If Marcus Bai, James Segeyaro and Justin Olam, the 3 pure blooded PNGeans have already cracked open the barrier to NRL, the Worlds Top Rugby league Competition apart from David Wesley, Bruce Mamando, Adrian Lam, Paul Aiton, David Mead, Nene McDonald ,Kurt Baptist and Neville Costigan, anyone of them who is good enough can also make it.
    It begins with submitting whole heartedly to the authority of the new Hunters New Coaching Regime and the new Culture and playing style in adaptation to the imminent increased intensity and pace of the games to attain and maintain sustained performance at ISC .
    Considering the game has evolved a lot in the last 5 years playing period, this also calls for players to similarly adapt in all facet of their lives to positively meet the challenges and gain more rewards whilst playing the greatest game of all.
    Wok Mas go yet to get more of our pure blooded PNGeans into NRL. Dont just become a games statistics, get burnt out and go into oblivion but rather stand up tall and be counted and have your own colourful chapter written in the annals of PNGRL history.

  • Bai was is equally capable.

    For now Aiton has been appointed. I would go with Aiton. Bai will still be around for help if need be.

  • As coaches, i would have gone for Stanley Tepend. He is a qualified coach and this should be his opportunity to coach at that level.
    Both Aiton and Marcus should have been appointed trainers like allan langer for the maroons.

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