Hunters out-done

  By JOHN PANGKATANA 

THE Papua New Guinea Hunters were given a reality check at the weekend as they crashed in their second trial match in Rockhampton.

With two weeks before the Intrust Super Cup opener against the Redcliffe Dolphins on March 2, the SP Hunters were brought down to earth by a polished Central Queensland Capras on Saturday night.

The Hunters had no answer to the Capras opening 18-6 blow-out in the first two quarters, but salvaged some pride before going down 30-18.

While coach Michael Marum was not available for comment, the loss give the coaching staff a clearer picture of where the team is in terms of its fitness and its ability to adjust effectively to the game situation and change tactics when necessary.

Their first trial win over the Northern Pride 26-18 the previous weekend was a morale booster but  the Capras were not ones to be caught unaware by the newest addition to the competition. 

The loss would have sunk deep and worked to strengthen the Hunters resolve for the season opener on March 2 against the Redcliffe Dolphins. 

Marum was not available for comment after the match on Saturday night at Browne Park in Rockhampton, but did say earlier in the week that the two trial matches are vital towards getting a working combination and ironing out areas to improve on. 

The loss certainly exposed certain areas that Marum and his coaching staff will be working overtime to rectify before the season opener. 

The pace that the Capras set exposed the newcomers lack of experience at this level with their quick play the ball around the ruck area.

The Hunters despite opening the scoring through Albert Patak, were their own enemies from there as the home side upped the tempo.  

The errors and penalties started to mount from trying to slow the play down worked against them as the Hunters were forced into an unknown area.

The Capras drew level at the first quarter 6-6 then scooted away in the second and third quarter with the PNG outfit’s attack riddled with ball security issues.

The Hunters were being the hunted with the home side increasing the lead to 30-6 midway into the third quarter, before the late fight-back with two tries to Noel Zemming and Thompson Teteh in for his second.

Despite the loss forwards David Loko, Sebastian Pandia and Esau Siune were brave in defeat and wingers Gary Lo and George Benson backed up well through the middle as well.  

PNGRFL directors Gwaibo Mairi and Joe Tokam who witnessed the game said the second hit-out exposed key areas in terms of positional play, skills which led to basic fundamental errors under pressure.

Tokam however said the loss has helped to expose those areas and will give Marum and his staff two weeks to improve on. 

The SP Hunters arrive today at 1pm.