Hunters eyeing Easts Tigers

THE Papua New Guinea Hunters will be aiming to make amends when they visit Easts Tigers in round four of the Queensland Intrust Super Cup on March 30.
The Hunters were handed their biggest loss last season when the Brodie Croft-led Tigers scored six tries to cruise to a 30-12 victory in round 13 at Suzuki Stadium.
In round six, the Hunters take on the Central Queensland Capras — who denied Michael Marum’s men a spot in the finals with a 38-22 victory in the last round — at Emerald on April 13.
Still hurting from a disappointing campaign last season, the Hunters will be raring to go when the season kicks off on March 9.
“We have 12 games at home, including the round 18 (July 20-21) country week round in PNG,” Rau said in a statement yesterday when releasing the draw for next season.
“The venue for next year’s country week game against Easts Tigers should be finalised by May.”
The 14-team competition kicks off on March 9, with the Hunters playing Tweed Heads Seagulls at Piggabeen Sports Complex in Brisbane the following day.
“The first Hunters home game is on March 17 against Northern Pride,” Rau said.
“The week after that on March 24 is another home game against Sunshine Coast Falcons.”
Rau said the annual Kokoda Cup against Burleigh Bears during the Anzac round would be played at Pizzey Park in Brisbane on April 25.
He said the Stan Joyce Cup — played against the Dolphins since 2014 — will see Redcliffe host the Hunters in round 12 on June 1.
“The second match will be played in round 22 on Aug 25 at the National Football Stadium,” Rau said.
The annual Air Niugini/Kokoda Cup against Townsville Blackhawks will see two games next season.
“The first match is in Port Moresby in round 9 on May 5 when the Hunters will be out to retain the cup,” Rau said.
The second game will be played at Jack Manski Oval in Townsville in round 19 on Aug 3.
Home fixtures: Northern Pride (round two, March 17), Sunshine Coast Falcons (round three, March 24), Ipswich Jets (round seven, April 20), Townsville Blackhawks (round nine, May 5), Wynnum Manly Seagulls (round 10, May 19), Souths Logan Magpies (round 11, May 26), Mackay Cutters (round 13, June 9), Twee Heads Seagulls (round 14, June 16), Norths Devils (round 16, July 7), Easts Tigers (round 18), Burleigh Bears (round 20, Aug 11), Redcliffe Dolphins (round 22, Aug 25).