The PNG Hunters today announced their 60-man pre- season training squad for 2019 at a press conference at their home base Port Moresby.
There are 12 players from the PNG Under 23 Residents team named, including Brendon Nima, Edward Ipape and Woods Kawage who were also in the PNG Kumuls squad during the recent England Knights tour.
They join 15 players retained from last year’s squad with three former Hunters players in William Aquila, Junior Rop and Intrust Super Cup premiership winner Bland Abavu also named.
Players from the Southern and Highlands Confederates as well as local leagues POMRFL, UPNG and one from Alotau RL are also included and given an opportunity.
The squad is scheduled to assemble in Port Moresby this Wednesday (November 21).
They will undergo medical and fitness tests and put through intensive training until December 23.
The squad will be trimmed to 30 and they resume training on January 3, 2019.
The Hunters pre- season trial match will be announced over the next week or so after details with the concerned club have been finalised.
The PNGRFL also wished those players leaving the club to continue their careers well; with Willie Minoga, Wartovo Puara Jnr and Stargroth Amean (who left the Hunters squad mid-season to study) the latest players to be snapped up by an overseas club.
They will play for Barrow Raiders in England; joining Ase Boas, Watson Boas and Thompson Teteh in the UK after they signed with Featherstone Rovers.
Rahdly Brawa and Edene Gebbie have made the move to the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Intrust Super Cup; while Brendon Gotuno will also trial and train with the Penrith Panthers.
The Hunters also encouraged the players to continue to be good ambassadors both on and off the field, as fans will be eager to follow their progress.
PNG Hunters 2019 pre-season training squad
| Player Name | 2018 club | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Adex Wera Paul Wawa William Mone Junior Rau Stanton Albert Mekenzie Yei Baundo Aba Illa Alu Dilbert Issac Enock Maki Charlie Simon Patrick Morea Moses Meninga Muka Peter Kalu Butler Morris |
PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters PNG Hunters |
POM Hagen POM Hagen Hagen Hagen Hagen POM Hagen Hagen POM POM Hagen POM Lae |
New squad additions
| Player Name | 2018 club | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Gairo Kapana William Aquila Epel Kapinias Shane Haro Kenedy Ben Kevin Appo Benton Leme Joe Joshua Edwin Ipape Weser Tenza Junior Rop JoeJoe Walamus Messac Wellen Daniel Tapol Melvin Paul Abel Rami Dickson Pipi Maya Clark Emmanuel Waine Joe Frank Joshua Nani Brendan Nima Issac Patrick |
Gurias Gurias Gurias Vipers Vipers Vipers Vipers Tigers Tigers Tigers Tigers Tigers Wigmen Wigmen Wigmen Muruks Muruks Muruks Tumbe Tumbe Tumbe Lahanis Lahanis |
POM POM Rabaul POM POM POM POM Lae Lae Hagen Lae Lae Mendi POM Mendi Mendi Mendi POM Hagen Hagen Hagen Goroka Goroka |
