Minoga set to play 104th game

By MARTHA DERUAGE
SP PNG Hunters utility Willie Minoga is set to play his 104th Intrust Super Cup match when his side take on the Easts Tigers in their round 13 fixture tomorrow.
A member of the inaugural Hunters side in 2014, Minoga has played 82 games for the Hunters and 21 for the Townsville Blackhawks when he spent a season with them in 2016.
This week will be his 83rd game for the Hunters but his 104th overall for the man who started out in the back-row for Michael Marum’s side but has played centre for lengthy spells.
Minoga’s arguably greatest moment in the Q-Cup came in last year’s grand final when he scored the game-leveling try against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the 78th minute that led to captain Ase Boas’ match-winning conversion for a 12-10 victory at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Minoga has also represented his country at last year’s World Cup and has played seven tests for the Kumuls.
“It’s an honour to be one of the players that have played more than 100 games in the Q-Cup,” Minoga said.
“The best memory I had with SP Hunters ever since I started playing in 2014, was winning the grand final last year.”
Minoga made his debut alongside Puara in the first Q-Cup match against the Redcliffe Dolphins in 2014.
He would go on to win the People’s Choice award at that year’s Queensland Rugby League awards.
Puara, who has been with the Hunters since day one, and will captain the side tomorrow in his second match at five-eighth standing in place of captain Ase Boas, who is still recovering form a bout of dengue fever.
Minoga acknowledged the hooker’s influence on his teammates and his value to the side’s cause.
“I want to congratulate Wartovo, who will be playing his 100th game on Saturday.
“I’ll be there so will the boys and we will do our best to give him the win he deserves,” Minoga said.
“I have played with him since day one with the Hunters in 2014 and we have come a long way.
“Wartovo is a senior player and a lot of the boys respect him so I think we should all turn up and give our best for him on Saturday,” he said.