Who is 2022 PNG Hunter's New Coach?

PNG Hunters new coach, Matthew Church, is not new to rugby league. He has been fundamental in the development of young talents in the under 15, 16, 18 and 20 levels

He is an experienced assistant coach at junior levels and head coach at East Tigers under 20 and Meninga cup under 18.

Matt has a long coaching career at the junior levels. He seems to be the kind of person to go to when you wanted to develop young talents.

PNG Hunters New Coach a Fan Fav?

However, Matt may be new to the PNG RL politics and fans. He may need time to adjust to the madness of rugby League when things go well.

He also will have to prepare for times when things do not work outright. In fact, there is a ‘big shoe’ to fill and the expectations are high.  Matt is probably aware of it!

It is important that Matt sets his direction for the Hunters early on – where he wants to see the players and team by the end of his coaching career at the PNG Hunters. 

The direction can be in several ways, but importantly the success of individual players is also the success for the team as a whole.

Direction for PNG Hunters

One way to set a direction and measure it is to successfully connect players to the QRL (Intrust Super Cup), NSWRL, NRL or other international competitions.

Another direction can be for the team to be successful in the QRL competition. And that is to not fall below the precedence set by the previous players and coach.

Matt said he is focused on the PNG Hunters now with his sight on the Digicel Cup comp.

He said

"I'm just looking forward to developing those players and the staff in and around the Hunters and hopefully working in the Digicel Cup (domestic competition in Papua New Guinea) as well to raise coach education,".

It seems he has fallen far below the expectations as the PNG Hunters coach.

Rugby League World Cup 2022 - PNG Kumuls vs Wales

The Rugby League World Cup Draw for 2021/2022 has seen PNG pooled against Tonga, Wales Cook Islands. The draw took place at Buckingham Palace and was witnessed by the Rugby Football League patron Prince Harry.

IMAGE: Twitter/@RLWC2021

Papua New Guinea vs. England (5th Saturday, Nov 2022, 2.30pm)

Papua New Guinea will face England in the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals. 

Many rugby league followers are anticipating a mouthwatering showdown between the Kumuls and England and Tonga and Samoa.

 Papua New Guineas Kumul 2022 October RLWC games 

In the men's pool, the Cook Islands Rugby League team is the underdog in Group D. 

Papua New Guinea Kumul is drawn against Wales and Tonga who are the competitive teams in the international rugby league competitions.

It is not going to be easy for PNG Kumuls in this Pool D. 

Many rugby league commentators are behind the 1995 and 2000 semi-finalists Wales in the PNG pool games. However, Tonga has featured strongly against the rugby league giants Australia and New Zealand in recent games. 

The Pool D games are going to be as tough as it comes.

WATCH THE RLWC GAMES LIVE ON 2021 RLWC APP

RLWC2021 Final

Here are the final games and possible lineup for PNG Kumuls vs Wales in the final pool game.

Semi-Finals

SF 1: Aus/Leb v NZ/Fiji (Fri 11th November)

SF 2: Eng/PNG v Ton/Sam (Sat 12th November)

World Cup Quarter Finals

QF 1: Australia 🇦🇺 v Lebanon 🇱🇧 (Friday 7.30pm BBC 3)

QF 2: England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥 v Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 (Saturday 2.30pm BBC 1)

QF 3: New Zealand 🇳🇿 v Fiji 🇫🇯 (Saturday 7.30pm BBC 2)

QF 4: Tonga 🇹🇴 v Samoa 🇼🇸 (Sunday 2.30pm BBC 2)

RLWC Results Game 3 PNG vs Wales

The PNG Kumuls look set to keep the lineup that beat the Cook Islands last week. 

Apart from the missing stars, Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm) and Edene Gebbie (Townsville Blackhawks), the powerhouse forward  Mckenzie Yei (*Central Queensland Capras) is likely to seat-out due to a 1 match suspension for a high tackle.

Here is the likely lineup - PNG Kumuls Vs Wales

1. 1. Alex Johnston  (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Australia)
2. 19. Jimmy Ngutlik (Western Suburbs Magpies, Australia)
3. 3. Nene Macdonald (Leigh Centurions, UK)
4. 4. Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm, Australia)
5. 20. Rodrick Tai (PNG Hunters, PNG)
6. 6. Kyle Laybutt (Townsville Blackhawks, Australia)
7. 7. Lachlan Lam (Leigh Centurions, UK)
8. 8. Wellington Albert (London Broncos, UK)
9. 9. Edwin Ipape (Leigh Centurions, UK)
10. 10. Sylvester Namo (PNG Hunters, PNG)
11. 11. Nixon Putt (Central Queensland Capras, Australia)
12. 12. Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos, UK)
13. 13. Jacob Allick (Gold Coast Titans, Australia)
14. 16. Mckenzie Yei (*Central Queensland Capras, Australia)
15. 17. Emmanuel Waine  (PNG Hunters, PNG)
16. 22. Jeremiah Simbiken (Redcliffe Dolphins, Australia)
17. 23. Watson Boas (Doncaster, UK)
18. 18. Keven Appo (PNG Hunters PNG)
19. 15. Daniel Russell (Brisbane Tigers, Australia)

RLWC Results Game 2: 25th October PNG vs the Cook Islands

PNG 32 - 16 Cook Islands - The Kumuls kept hopes of reaching the RLWC quarter-finals alive with a six-try win over the Cook Islands. Try scorers  - *Rodrick Tai, Kyle Laybutt, Rhyse Martin, *Rodrick Tai, Lachlan Lam and Justin Olam score.

Here is how to watch the PNG Kumuls games on the RLWC app

RLWC Results Game 1: 18th October 2022 - PNG vs Tonga

Tonga have escaped with a 24-18 win over Papua New Guinea in the most thrilling clash of the World Cup so far. Despite having the much weaker side, PNG fought hard and levelled the scores in the 67th minute only for Tonga to break their hearts with a frantic try with just three minutes left on the clock.

Men's Rugby League World Cup Pools A, B, C & D

• Group A: Samoa, England,  France, Greece
• Group B: Fiji, Australia,  Scotland, Italy
• Group C: Jamaica, New Zealand, Lebanon, Ireland
• Group D: Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Wales, Cook Islands

Women's Rugby League World Cup Pools A & B

• Group A:  Papua New Guinea, England, Canada, Brazil
• Group B: Cook Island, Australia, New Zealand, France

RLWC Draws 2022

Rugby League World Cup 2022 Men’s full fixtures

AEST time

England vs Samoa 15 October 2022

St James’ Park, Newcastle

RLWC Kick off : 2:30 PM

Australia vs Fiji 15 October 2022

Headingley Stadium, Leeds

RLWC Kick off : 7.30 pm

___________

Scotland vs Italy 16 October 2022

Kingston Park (Newcastle)

RLWC Kick off : 2.30pm

Jamaica v Ireland 16 October 2022

Headingley (Leeds)

RLWC Kick off : 5pm

New Zealand v Lebanon 16 October 2022

Halliwell Jones Stadium (Warrington)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

France v Greece 17 October 2022

Keepmoat Stadium (Doncaster)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

Tonga v Papua New Guinea 18 October 2022

Totally Wicked Stadium (St Helens)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm  

 ___________

Wales v Cook Islands 19 October 2022

Leigh Sports Village (Leigh)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

Australia v Scotland 21 October 2022

Ricoh Arena (Coventry)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

Fiji Bati Fiji v Italy 22 October 2022

Kingston Park (Newcastle)

RLWC Kick off : 2:30pm

England v France 22 October 2022

University of Bolton Stadium (Bolton)

RLWC Kick off : 5pm

New Zealand v Jamaica 22 October 2022

MKM Stadium (Hull)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

Lebanon v Ireland 23 October 2022

Leigh Sports Village (Leigh)

RLWC Kick off : 2:30pm

Samoa v Greece 23 October 2022

Keepmoat Stadium (Doncaster)

RLWC Kick off : 5pm

___________

Tonga v Wales 24 October 2022

Totally Wicked Stadium (St Helens)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

Papua New Guinea v Cook Islands 25 October 2022

Halliwell Jones Stadium (Warrington)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

New Zealand v Ireland 28 October 2022

Headingley (Leeds)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

England v Greece 29 October 2022

Bramall Lane (Sheffield)

RLWC Kick off : 2:30pm

Fiji v Scotland 29 October 2022

Kingston Park (Newcastle)

RLWC Kick off 5pm

Australia v Italy 29 October 2022

Totally Wicked Stadium (St Helens)

RLWC Kick off 7:30pm

___________

Lebanon v Jamaica 30 October 2022

Leigh Sports Village (Leigh)

RLWC Kick off 12pm

___________

Tonga v Cook Islands 30 October 2022

Riverside Stadium (Middlesbrough)

RLWC Kick off 2:30pm

Samoa v France 30 October 2022

Halliwell Jones Stadium (Warrington)

RLWC Kick off 5pm

___________

Papua New Guinea v Wales 31 October 2022

Keepmoat Stadium (Doncaster)

RLWC Kick off 7:30pm

___________

• RLWC Quarter Final 4/5/6 November 2022
• RLWC Semi Final 11/12 November 2022

PNG Kumuls vs Toa Samoa Pacific Test

The 2019 Pacific Test is sure to be a ripper between the PNG Kumuls and Toa Samoa at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday June 22.

Papua New Guinea Kumuls is putting together a strong 18 men team for the Pacific Test 2019 composed of players from NRL and Queensland Intrust Cup:

• NRL= 7 players
• Wynnum Manly = 3 player
• PNG Hunters = 5 players
• North Devils = 1 player
• Townsville Blackhawks = 1 player
• Burleigh Bears = 1 player

Recommended reading: samoa vs png 2019 and Lions vs PNG Kumuls Fixtures.

1. Edene Gabbie Wynnum Manly
2. Edwin Epape Wynnum Manly
3. Enock Maki PNG Hunter
4. James Segeyaro Brisbane Broncos
5. Junior Rau PNG Hunters
6. Justin Olam Melbourne Storm
7. Kurt Baptiste North Queensland Cowboys
8. Kyle Laybutt Townsville Blackhawks
9. Lachlan Lam Sydney Roosters
10. Luke Page Burleigh Bears
11. Moses Meninga PNG Hunters
12. Nixon Putt Norths Devils 
13. Rhadley Brawa Wynnum Manly
14. Rhyse Martin Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
15. Stanton Albert PNG Hunters
16. Terry Wapi PNG Hunters
17. Xavier Coates Brisbane Broncos
18. Zev John Melbourne Storm

For the complete Pacific Test samoa vs png 2019 and British Lions vs PNG Kumuls fixtures, see here.

PNG Hunters News Update - Former Players in the UK and Australia

Update: Further to a post on PNG Hunters former players, this post provides an update on where the 2014 Grand Final winning players' club in the UK and Australia. 

Pic: @rmt_1982.Rob Terrace

Many players who had the opportunity to move to play overseas have either stayed with the teams they were contracted with or moved around. So, this is the latest on where the original PNG Hunters are mid-2019.

• Barrow Raiders

Wartovo Puara

Stargroth Amean

Willie Minoga

The club released Willie to travel back to PNG on family reasons. Here is what the Barrow Raiders said on Twitter

'Willie Minoga is about to board a flight for PNG. His pregnant wife has been involved in a serious road accident and the club has given Willie's two weeks compassionate leave so he can be with his family. 

Our thoughts are with you Willie from all at Barrow Raiders' 

• Doncaster RLFC 

Watson Boas (loan)

*Menzie Yere (loan)

Jason Tali

Featherstone Rovers released Watson Boas on loan to Doncaster RLFC. Watson played 11 games and scored 4 tries. He did not feature in the plays in late April 2019 due to availability of other Rovers halves. 

Featherstone CEO Davide Longo said 

'The coaching team at Featherstone Rovers will monitor Watson closely and be very much in regular contact with the Doncaster coaching staff and the player'

The Boas brothers, Watson and Ase, and Thompson Tete joined the second tier club early in 2019. They play several games for the Rovers. 

Thompson Teteh nursed a suspected shoulder injury.

Ase returned home due to family reasons. He is now back with the PNG Hunters 2019.

Watson is now playing for the Doncaster RLFC with two other Papua New Guinean internationals Menzie Yere (on loan from Sheffield Eagles) and Jason Tali.

Related posts and updates

Rahdly Brawa, Edene Gebbie (Wynnum Manly), Nixon Putt (Norths Devils) and Brendon Gotuno (Penrith Panthers) - where are they now?

SP PNG Hunters Players Where are They Now?

The SP PNG Hunters team in the Intrust Super Cup extended for another 5-year term. Many fans and followers will admit that the level of rugby league, players' fitness, humility, fans behaviour and love for rugby league in Papua New Guinea has, in the last 5 years, improved massively. 

Twitter Image

Success stories - PNG Hunters

The SP PNG Hunters concept - getting a PNG team into the Queensland Rugby League - to showcase PNG rugby league talents can be described as a success. 

The next 5 years is going to be a ripper. The home games are going to be a must see. New talents are going to be exposed to the international rugby league scene. 

So, where are the original PNG Hunters players? Let's have a look at some of the success stories. 

Move to the United Kingdom

The former PNG Hunters five-eighth Ase Boas and his halfback brother Watson Boas have both moved to the UK club Featherstone Rovers alongside the outside centre Thompson Teteh.

Featherstone Rovers are a professional rugby league club that plays in the Championship - a second-tier competition. Similar to the QRL level before the NRL in Australia. 

SOURCE: Twitter Featherstone Rovers’ Papua New Guinea internationals Watson Boas, Ase Boas and Thompson Teteh 

Forward Willie Minoga, hooker Wartovo Puara and fullback Stargroth Amean also moved to England to play with Barrow Raiders. 

The Barrow Raiders are a semi-professional rugby league team in the third-tier competition. 

SOURCE: @BurrowRaiders Twitter Raiders line-up for this afternoons game with @YorkKnightsRLFC

In fact, the UK and France have a three-tier rugby league competition. Super League is like the National Rugby League (NRL) competition - the top elite league players play at that level. 

The Championship comp is like the QRL or NSWRL comps. Talented players at Championship Cup would get picked to Super League.

Whereas the third-tier (semi-professional) competition is called the League 1 competition. The competition features clubs from Wales, Canada and France. It is the Rugby Football League's (RFL) third-tier competition, below the Championship.

The rugby pathway is League 1 to Championship to Super League. 

Move to Queensland, Australia

Wynnum Manly is contracting the forward Rahdly Brawa and back Edene Gebbie.

Nixon Putt is marked for the Norths Devils.

Brendon Gotuno moves to the Penrith Panthers.

The PNG Hunters picks

• Gairo Kapana, Epel Kapinias (Rabaul Gurias)
• Shane Haro, Kevin Appo (Pom Vipers)
• Joe Joshua, Junior Rop (Lae Tigers)
• Daniel Tapol, Jerry Teme (Hela Wigmen)
• Brendon Nima, Nick Hasu (Goroka Lahanis)
• Joe Frank (Waghi Tumbe)
• Woods Kawage (Enga Mioks)
• Rex Kaupa (Southern Confederate)
• Justin Yoka, Jordon Pat (Highlands Confederate)
• Bland Abavu (Fassifern Bombers)
• Jack Oii (PRL)

PNG Hunters loses

• Ase Boas, Watson Boas, Thompson Teteh (Featherstone Rovers)
• Stargroth Amean, Wartovo Puara, Willie Minoga (Barrow Raiders)
• Rahdly Brawa, Edene Gebbie (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
• Brendon Gotuno (Penrith Panthers)
• Adam Korave, Muka Peter Kulu, Junior Bobby, Clyde Name, John Andy, Julius 2Yakopa, Silas Gahuna (Released)
• Nixon Putt (Norths Devils)

So, there you have it.

Related posts

5 UK Rugby League Teams with Links to PNG Kumuls 2018

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