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  1. #46
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    sorry double post ... please delete :-(
    Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.

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    Inside the PNG Hunters camp

    THE world's most dedicated rugby league team, a prototype NRL clubs could only dream of, is bizarrely found among packs of stray cats near the beginning of Papua New Guinea's Kokoda Track.

    Journalist Chris Garry and photographer Adam Head travelled to Bomana to bunk down with the PNG Hunters.

    IT IS the first month of the Papua New Guinea Hunters' revolutionary rugby league experiment being conducted in a dilapidated police academy.

    Their 25-man squad, all of whom arrived with talent but most without shoes, are about to discover how serious coaches are taking the team's entry to the Intrust Super Cup.

    The players inside this Big Brother-like compound of league devotion, a three storey brick dormitory called Hunter House, have returned from their inaugural "free day" and are surprised with breath tests.

    One player, a star player, returns a low alcohol reading.

    He is instantly dismissed from the camp, dreams evaporated, the celebrity status he earned stripped.

    Welcome to the most intense and dedicated rugby league club in the world.
    The Hunters are the first league side where players and coaching staff eat, drink and sleep together every day.

    Their strength and conditioning coach Jason Tassell lives on the floor of the compound's lounge room to act as a security guard.

    In a river-bed town called Bomana where tourists occasionally visit the pacific's largest war cemetery, housing 3,823 graves, the Hunters train three times a day, six days a week.

    Their gym is across the road from the dormitory, inside a Chinese-built hall now loaded with $200,000 worth of equipment.

    Open the back doors to the gym and you find their training field.

    It is functionality NRL clubs dream of but few NRL players would submit to.

    Each Hunter is paid exactly the same weekly wage, deposited into bank accounts set up by management.

    From 20-year-old's to the five Kumul Test players in the team, the pay-packets are identical.

    It has been six weeks since the inaugural cull and every Hunters player understands NRL-level professionalism is the benchmark.

    Despite their rookie status the Hunters will become the code's most watched club this season, attracting television viewership numbers NRL clubs would never get close to outside of a grand final.

    Performance expectations are tempered inside the camp, where players wash their own laundry and dry it on the pavement outside their six by three metre rooms.

    As a stray cat leers at softly spoken Hunters captain Israel Eliab, he says the share house has already made them better players.

    Eliab's first kicking coach was infamous ex-Brisbane Bronco Julian O'Neill, who has been coaching rugby league while working in PNG's mines.

    Those who have watched five-eighth Eliab closely, including Kumuls coaches Mal Meninga and Adrian Lam, predict an NRL future.

    "We are dedicated to rugby league now. We are cut off from our families and just send them money," the 23-year-old says.

    "We have been away for almost two months now.

    "It is normal for us. We all have different cultures and languages and this helps us bond.

    "This is about us coming together.

    "There are so many different provinces so we all just speak pigeon english to communicate.

    "We are still adapting to the new lifestyle. The food is different.

    "There's no rice anymore."

    The players need to be dedicated to the team to persevere through living conditions a German backpacker would hesitate to sleep in.

    While the gym is far removed from the Rocky-like cliches many predict, the rooms are everything you expect from a barely used PNG police academy.

    Beyond the random dogs, cats and toads that meander through the dormitory there are single mattresses which cut into your back and paper-thin walls.

    Yet the Hunters have a ball, playing guitar, singing, and wrestling.
    Local children from the area have become part of the club.

    Ten-year-olds finish school and rush to the ground to help set out cones for the coaching staff.

    Those coaches predict consistent performances are 18 months away.

    However, without their 24/7 league life, win streaks would be several years in the making.

    In a rented office inside Port Moresby's Holiday Inn, Hunters chief executive Brad Tassell says the reason for this fascinating Big Brother-style experiment is necessity.

    Tassell has led the country's rugby league administration out of the dark ages when officials wasted money attempting to win an NRL licence.

    Tassell even has a league field in the remote village of Chimbu named after him because he was the first white person to visit since independence in 1975.

    He loves this country and its people but said the bad habits of players had to be broken.

    "We have to play catch up," Tassell said.

    "They began training in January and debut in the Intrust Super Cup at Redcliffe next Sunday.

    "We had 12 weeks to train these guys before the first game and the first two weeks were teaching the technique of lifting weights.

    "Most of these guys had never done a squat before. A gym in Papua New Guinea has 18 bench presses and that's it.

    "All players and coaches are drug tested and breath tested regularly.

    "No one is allowed to chew betel nut (a natural mild stimulant that paints teeth red) as it is an appetite suppressant.

    "It had to be done this way because we have players from throughout very remote regions all coming to Moresby to play football.

    "There are 800 languages and 16 provinces in this country.

    "They live together and are a true team. They are great guys and have really bonded.

    "This country has a real hunger for success. We think with the talent here, if managed correctly, we can be a success."

    The Bomana police academy is only a temporary base.

    In April they move to "Hunter Village" in Kokopo, a collection of purpose-built rooms and halls that will be a more liveable camp.

    Kokopo is an idyllic slice of pacific paradise on the edge of a volcano.
    The team's home games will be played there, in an 8,000 seat stadium with volcano views.

    The violent myths of Papua New Guinea have never rung true in Kokopo, a 90 minute flight from Moresby.

    Visiting clubs will not want to leave.

    In Kokopo, where the local league team is called the earthquakes, the streets are free of the burning rubbish that suffocates Port Moresby.

    The region will be shown off this year as Hunters' management and the Queensland Rugby League are poised to sign a broadcast deal with mobile network provider Digicel, which is using the Hunters to launch their own television channel.

    The broadcast will reach five million people and network officials expect a minimum viewership of two million for all games.

    The station is flying their own production crew to all Hunters games, from Kokopo to Ipswich, their cameras will be there.

    Moving the team to Kokopo is a stake in the ground.

    The politics, in-fighting and violence which plagued the sport will no longer be tolerated.

    Rugby league is this country's national pastime yet it is cloaked in a cultural cringe.

    For 20 years the sport was banned in schools. The ban was lifted only recently when the Hunters began restructuring the way league was administered.

    "Rugby league is thought of as a sport for people with brawn not brains," newly instated Hunters chairman Sandis Tsaka said.

    "This is like a Phoenix, we are building from the ashes.

    "In the past, the organisation did not have, for a lack of a better word, competence.

    "There was no institutional structure.

    "The big task on my hand now is delivering pathways.

    "The last six or seven years we had political infighting within rugby league.

    "My challenge is creating a rugby league body that is competent and effectively delivering rugby league throughout the country.

    "Only people's passion for the game has kept it alive.

    "This is the rebirth."

    http://www.qrl.com.au/
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  3. #48
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    Anyone tried SP Beer?
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

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  4. #49
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    Hunters record a famous victory!
    Last edited by DIEHARD; 02-03-14 at 04:28 PM.
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  5. #50
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    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
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  6. #51
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    NG score shock Round 1 win

    The PNG Hunters have enjoyed a dream Intrust Super Cup debut, stunning the highly fancied Redcliffe Dolphins 24-18 in Round 1 action.

    In other opening round fixtures Cowboys hopefuls Cameron King and Ricky Thorby each scored tries in the Northern Pride's 36-0 defeat of Sunshine Coast, Easts won the grand final rematch over Mackay 40-12, Norths defeated Ipswich in a gruelling encounter 22-16, Burleigh won at home 36-24 over the Capras and in the battle of the Seagulls, Wynnum Manly accounted for Tweed Heads 32-28.

    At Redcliffe, all the pre-season excitement and anticipation surrounding the debut of rugby league’s latest experiment reached a crescendo at a packed Dolphin Oval. Curiosity had swept throughout the peninsula prior to kick-off as a healthy mixture of faithful Redcliffe supporters and a large contingent of PNG followers gathered on the surrounding hills.

    What the crowd witnessed was a thoroughly professional and polished performance by the Hunters, who were physically imposing from kick-off.

    One of the Dolphins forwards in the thick of the action was Brisbane Bronco David Hala, who was called from the bench in the 20th minute to throw his 109-kilogram frame at the enthusiastic PNG defence.

    But even the 30-game NRL star struggled to deal with an imposing Hunters’ pack.

    “It was a physical game out there. They came out firing and we couldn’t hold onto the ball or complete our sets,” Hala told NRL.com.

    “It was a pretty good effort by the boys. We tried our best until the end, but credit to PNG who came out and got the win.”

    PNG coach Michael Marum was obviously pleased with his side's first ISC outing, but hopes to keep the feet of his players firmly planted to the ground.

    “I didn’t expect the boys to stand up like that for the first game,” Marum said.

    “This is a good start to the competition and we will hope to build on that.”

    The Hunters were greeted with a huge bipartisan roar from the fans as they took the field. They began the contest in enthusiastic fashion, dominating the opening five minutes and almost crossing the line, only to be held up on the last tackle.

    The Hunters were unrelenting with their physical approach and slick ball movement, which soon paid dividends.

    From a penalty the Hunters had Redcliffe backpedalling with fullback Adex Wera turning the ball back on the inside for PNG captain Israel Eliab to cross for the opener after 13 minutes.

    The visitors doubled their lead to 12 less than five minutes later through Thompson Teteh. The PNG centre dashed down the left touchline, weaving his way infield and selling two beautiful dummies to the Redcliffe defence on his way to a 50-metre try under the posts.

    The Dolphins managed a quick reply when winger Brett Coutts crossed out wide after being set up by skipper Marty Hatfield, Liam Georgetown nailing the sideline conversion to narrow the deficit to 12-6 after 20 minutes.

    Redcliffe slowly began to claw their way back into the match and levelled the score on the half-hour mark when five-eighth Jake Marketo twisted his way over the line from close range.

    A penalty adjacent to the posts inside the opening minute of the second half gifted PNG an easy two points, which they duly accepted to take the score to 14-12.

    Two quick tries to the Hunters courtesy of winger Garry Lo and back-rower Lawrence Tu’u, both on the left edge, extended their lead to 22-12 with 30 minutes remaining.

    The home side set up a nail-biting finish courtesy of a converted try to winger Monikura Tikinau and the contest ebbed and flowed throughout the next 15 minutes with Redcliffe often threatening the PNG line.

    But in a positive indicator of their prospects in the competition, the Hunters' defence held strong and they soon bullocked their way down field, forcing the home side into conceding a penalty.

    Man of the match Sebatian Pandia stepped forward to take the shot, hit the left upright and saw the ball ricochet over the posts and seal an historic 24-18 victory.

    The Hunters will now enjoy the next three rounds of the Intrust Super Cup at their home ground on Kokopo Island and could very well be undefeated after four rounds if they carry on with the style and substance they displayed against Redcliffe.

    PNG Hunters 24 (Israel Eliab, Thompson Teteh, Garry Lo, Lawrence Tu’u tries; Roger Laka 3, Sebastian Pandia goals) def. Redcliffe Dolphins 18 (Brett Coutts, Jake Marketo, Monikura Tikinau tries; Liam Georgetown 3 goals) at Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe. Half-time: 12-all. Channel Nine Man of the Match: Sebastian Pandia.
    Last edited by DIEHARD; 02-03-14 at 06:46 PM.
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  7. #52
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    They were paying $5.50
    I got told last night to get money on them and forgot doh
    Quote Originally Posted by Titus View Post
    When I am unable to respect and accept the decisions that are being made that directly affect my team, then I must take a backwards step.

  8. #53
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    Quote Originally Posted by DIEHARD View Post
    Anyone tried SP Beer?
    Too many stories from drinking it hot in Hagen, very hot at Cape Rodney, boiling hot on Yule Island, stinking hot at Uiaku, freezing cold at Nondugl and everything in between ... good drop that goes well with mumu.

    Hunters chop the Reddy whackers down, great stuff.
    Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.

  9. #54
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Titanic View Post
    Too many stories from drinking it hot in Hagen, very hot at Cape Rodney, boiling hot on Yule Island, stinking hot at Uiaku, freezing cold at Nondugl and everything in between ... good drop that goes well with mumu.

    Hunters chop the Reddy whackers down, great stuff.
    Deadcliffe.
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  10. #55
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
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  11. #56
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    Thanks for posting that DH, I must say it was a pretty good class of game, well at least the highlights were they'll benefit from that you'd have to think.

    Deadcliffe ... I hated playing against them and particularly those slugs Pearce and Obst.
    Last edited by Titanic; 03-03-14 at 07:14 PM.
    Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.

  12. #57
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    FIRST EVER HUNTERS TRY!
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  13. #58
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    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
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  14. #59
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    Mackay Cutters to travel to PNG to take on the Hunters

    THE Absolute Enterprises Mackay Cutters will look to take their best game with them when they create history in Papua New Guinea this Saturday.

    The defending Intrust Super Cup premiers were outplayed by last season's grand final opponents Easts Tigers in the opening round on the weekend, when new team PNG Hunters impressed with a win over Redcliffe Dolphins.

    The Cutters will become the first Intrust Super Cup team to travel to the town of Kokopo on the island of New Britain in PNG's north-east corner for Saturday's match.

    "Definitely, this is going to be a challenge," lock Dan Beasley said after watching the televised coverage of the Hunters winning their first match.

    "We'll have to take our best game up there.

    "They've got a lot of strength in their pack, they all seem to be big and strong."

    Beasley came off the bench to inject some much-needed fire to the Cutters against Easts Tigers, and coach Kim Williams picked him out as the best on the night.

    "There is no excuse for a loss like that," Beasley said.

    "But it's the start of the season and we can bounce back from that one."

    http://www.cqnews.com.au/
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    Quote Originally Posted by QRL
    Amazing scenes here at the airport as hundreds of people greet the Cutters upon arrival in PNG. The Cutters team bus received an escort to their beach resort with the roads and villages lined with well wishes. #PNGvMC
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

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