Hunters slump to Tigers

THE SP PNG Hunters slumped to their seventh loss of the season, their sixth on the road, when they were beaten 30-12 by a Brodie Croft-inspired Easts Tigers in their round 13 Q-Cup clash at Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park, Brisbane on Saturday.
Croft, who started the year as Melbourne Storm’s first choice halfback, had a hand in four of his side’s six tries and kicked three conversions plus a 40-20 to cap off a master class performance and continue his side’s midseason resurgence.
Wingers Lincoln Port and Jarrod McInnally, who captained the side from the left flank, scored two thirds of the Tigers tries, each bagging a double thanks to some slick backline work sparked by Croft, pictured.
The Hunters had their moments with the reliable Thompson Teteh scoring a try in a second half and contributing valuable metres coming out of trouble.
Halfback Watson Boas picked up a consolation four-pointer late in the game intercepting a Billy Walters pass to run 60 metres to score under the uprights.
Halves Boas and Charlie Simon created opportunities hoisting the ball up on several occasions and the Tigers back three struggled to clean up but aside from those moments along with a break by fullback Adex Wera late in the first half where he sliced through the Tigers line and ran 40 odd metres before inexplicably kicking ahead only for Tigers No.1 Scott Drinkwater to mop up, the reigning premiers found the going tough.
The loss saw coach Michael Marum’s side drop a spot to 11th place, while the Tigers jumped to 9th place.
After losing seven of their first 10 games of the season, the Tigers have now notched a combined 84 points in their last two games and allowed just 28 in defence.
The Tigers pack had the upper hand on the visitors with props Matthew Groat and Brett Greinke and back-rowers Patrick Kaufusi and rookie Michael Egan bending the line with ease and giving the likes of Croft and Walters front-foot ball for the majority of sets.
Although the Tigers conceded first points via a penalty to Boas in the 11th minute, they went on to score the first four tries for a 20-2 lead after 44 minutes of the contest — Easts led 16-2 at halftime.
While it’s always a long bow to say any one player can determine the fate of a team, it does seem more than coincidence that the return of Kaufusi has aligned with the past two wins.
Kaufusi, younger brother of Queensland Origin debutant-in-waiting Felise, was a tower of strength for the Tigers in the opening rounds, continually driving the Coorparoo side forward.
While Easts are packed with numerous accomplished footballers — Croft and Cheyse Blair among them — the difference a non-stop, aggressive forward makes cannot be underestimated.
Kaufusi, 24, pumped out a full 80 minutes on Saturday in his return to the line-up as Easts swapped places with the Hunters and moved into ninth spot, at least temporarily.
In just his second Intrust Super Cup appearance, young forward Egan scored for the Tigers in another positive sign.
PNG had injury compounding upon insult, with No.1 Wera removed with 14 minutes left on the clock due to a head injury assessment (HIA).
The convincing loss ends a purple patch for the defending premiers, who had racked up three wins in a row against Townsville, Wynnum Manly and Central Queensland.
The Hunters will look to get back in the winners’ circle on Sunday when they host cellar dwellers Mackay Cutters at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Easts Tigers 30 (Jarrod McInally 2, Linc Port 2, Michael Egan, Conor Carey tries; Brodie Croft 3 goals) PNG Hunters 12 (Thompson Teteh, Watson Boas tries; Watson Boas con, pen) at Suzuki Stadium, Brisbane.
Round 13 Results: Sat, June 2 – Central Queensland Capras 12 Townsville Blackhawks 32, Ipswich Jets 20 Burleigh Bears 42, Easts Tigers 30 PNG Hunters 12, Mackay Cutters 20 Wynnum Manly Seagulls 34, Northern Pride 42 Souths Logan Magpies 30, Redcliffe Dolphins 42 Tweed Heads Seagulls 16; Sun, June 3 – Sunshine Coast Falcons 23 Norths Devils 22. – QRL