Preparations for Hunters relocation underway

By PATRICIA KEAMO
PREPARATIONS are underway for the SP Hunters’ relocation to Australia to compete in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup (ISC) next season.
Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League acting chief executive Stanley Hondina said the relocation would be a joint effort between the PNG and Australian government, Queensland Rugby League (QRL), PNGRFL, sponsors and other stakeholders.
“We take comfort in the steps we’ve taken and the progress we have made so far that we should get over the line in the timelines that we’ve set,” he said.
“There’s a lot of moving parts to it but we’ve been progressing very well and we are working tirelessly to see a smooth transition.”
Hunters coach Matthew Church said the logistics of having to relocate was very hard and they were trying to work around a squad of about 30 men for the relocation.
He said he held discussions with New Zealand Warriors coach Todd Payten on their experience of relocating to Australia for the National Rugby League season.
“He gave me an insight into that so we’re doing as much research and work on those aspects,” Church said.