ISC finals format tweaked

PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football League chief executive Reatau Rau has revealed that the finals format for the Queensland Intrust Super Cup has been changed from six teams to eight next season.
“The CEOs identified this move as a priority for all clubs in 2019,” Rau said of a meeting in Brisbane last month.
PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum said he was happy with the draws and the top-eight finals format.
“The first six rounds will see us having two consecutive home games and three straight on the road. After, that we will have either one or two consecutive home games with one away game in between so I am happy with the draw,” Marum said.
“I am also happy with the eight-team finals format.”
Meanwhile, three more players have been released from the Hunters pre-season training squad after three weeks.
Hunters assistant coach Nigel Hukula said Melvin Paul, Messac Wellen and Abel Rami were released after failing their time trials.
“We are happy with their contributions and are now looking at time trials which the trio did not meet,” Hukula said.
The trio’s releases leaves 42 players.
The squad is expected to be trimmed to 30 by Dec 23.
The players will then take a break for the festive season and return on Jan 3 to resume pre-season preparations for the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season.
Queensland Rugby League major competition’s manager Dave Maiden said it was shaping up to be another thrilling season.
“Changing the finals format from six teams to eight will keep more fans engaged throughout the season and will add to the overall excitement and anticipation that the competition brings each week,” Maiden said.