PNGRFL clears Hunters

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) cleared the SP Hunters to return to their families after the 2017 Intrust Super Cup premiers completed their 14-day quarantine yesterday.
PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka visited the Hunters at their East Boroko home in Port Moresby yesterday, in their first meeting since the side’s arrival from Brisbane, Australia, on March 18.
Tsaka said he was proud of the team as they had adhered to the quarantine process amid the coronavirus pandemic and isolated themselves from their loved ones for nearly three weeks.
“PNGRFL, Queensland Rugby League (QRL), our supporters and partners are happy because the team have been committed in completing the process,” he said.
“The Hunters is the brand of rugby league in PNG and they have displayed that by respecting the Covid-19 quarantine protocols. They have sacrificed their time and for that, we are proud.
“The rugby league community was the first in the country that had taken the initiative to announce its preventative measures against the virus following advice from QRL and the National Rugby League.”
Tsaka said the players were free to leave camp except for those from outside centres who were allowed to remain at the Hunters’ home after the Government had imposed a nationwide travel ban.
Captain Ase Boas said the players were excited to go home.
“I am so grateful to my men for following the processes and protocols put in place by the PNGRFL doctors,” the 31-year-old playmaker said. “Some of the players from outside centres, including myself, have families in the city but we hardly go near them because they are also afraid of us. They keep their distance and only wave at us.
“But now, we’re proud and relieved because what we did was for the best interests for rugby league, our families and PNG.”