Finals Week 2 Sunday wrap: Hunters off to the preliminary finals
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A defiant PNG Hunters outfit have booked a date with the Norths Devils, overcoming the Sunshine Coast Falcons in a gritty 24-10 semi-final victory on Sunday.
From the opening stages of the match, the Falcons threw everything they had at the Hunters, earning repeat set after repeat set, only to be denied time and time again.
That opening 20 minutes at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday - the second semi-final of the weekend - set the tone for the rest of the afternoon, as the Hunters showed a great deal of spirit to get the job done.
It was one of the most intense games of this year's finals series so far - emotions were high, the desire was clear on both ends of the field and the effort was admirable.
But PNG prevailed, making the most of defensive lapses from the Falcons to post five tries to two.
Hooker Judah Rimbu - one of the best on the field yet again - said it was a whole team performance.
Match: Falcons v Hunters
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Falcons
4th Position
away Team
Hunters
5th Position
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
"We knew we needed to win this," he said.
"It was a tough battle but we got the job done.
"The boys keep turning up for each other. We back it up, back it up, back it up and worked together. We keep our defence and our attack simple. It's really pleasing.
"One to 17 stood up to get a win. It's good to work together and stick to the process as we push another step into preliminary finals. We need to stay together.
"There is so much belief. It's really good. The boys believe in each other, we believe in the coaching staff... hopefully we go all the way."
Winger Brandon Nima broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, posting the first points of the game with Rimbu scoring from dummy-half in the 34th minute to go into halftime up 10-0.
The Falcons struck back quickly after the break, with Young Tonumaipea bagging a try in the 46th minute and Flynn Camilleri going over four minutes later.
But the Hunters maintained composure and found the momentum again in the back half of the second stanza.
Solo Wane and Elijah Roltinga both scored with Whallan Tau-Loi racing away for the final try in the dying seconds.
The Hunters now head to Bishop Park next Sunday to take on the Devils and Rimbu said they have to keep their focus on what they can control.
Fables of Cup finals edition: PNG Hunters 2017
"It's going to be a big battle," he said.
"We expect a good one but we need to focus on us, we don't need to focus on them. We'll focus on us and get a job done next week."
The Sunshine Coast Falcons were brave in defeat, battling through to the final minutes to try to turn the tide.
But it simply wasn't enough with forward Patrice Siolo saying their defence was where they let themselves down.
"Feeling pretty devastated," Siolo said.
"It's not the result we wanted but it was a tough day in the office. PNG was too good for us all over the park and outworked us.
"On the edges, we just let in too many easy tries but in the middle their late offloads and Rimbu out of hooker was really good for them... credit to PNG and their attack."
The Falcons will now begin their off-season, with Siolo labelling the playing group as his highlight of 2024.
"What's really impressed me this year is the group of boys we've got," he said.
"It's a brotherhood you create. When I look back at the year, that's been the best part."
In the other Finals Week 3 match next weekend, the Northern Pride will play host to the Redcliffe Dolphins on Saturday.
For a wrap of Redcliffe's semi-final victory over Central Queensland Capras, click here.
Catch all of the action live and free at Qplus.tv.
To get your tickets to this year's highly-anticipated Queensland Rugby League grand final day, presented by Ford, click here.
Main image: Hunters players in a huddle after the win. Photo: Vanessa Hafner/QRL
