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.

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.

NRL Players Playing in Intrust Super Cup Final Games 2022

The NRL (National Rugby League) players had been called up to play in the Intrust Super Cup (ISC) final games in the past. These players potentially changed the outcomes of games at the ISC level.

The argument of teams taking on the challenge and either win or lose is one thing. But, is it fair?

Here are 5 reasons why the NRL players should not play any ISC final games:

1. The NRL fultime players have not played a single ISC game all season. They are slotted in last minute to just win a game. Fact.

For NRL players to qualify to play, the players must play some ISC games during the 2017 season. Probably 5 or more games. It is not late yet for the Intrust Super Cup management to come up with some control measures if the management does not have one yet. 

2. The NRL players are from eliminated teams - their teams have not made it to NRL finals. That means that they have rested well for several weeks. The players should not be included in ISC final games as it is not fair on players who have been leading the team to this stage.

3. The NRL players have experienced top level games all year. The level of competitions at NRL and ISC is different. Just getting an NRL player into a team to win the final is not fair competition.

Understandably, you want to get your NRL players to win a crucial game for you.  But you also want to give the player who shone in his absence a fair go. When it comes to choosing a player to play in the final games, NRL players are not an option as far as being fair to players is concerned.

4. The NRL players have had their chances to prove their worth in top division. If they had not proven to their coaches and teams that they can bring their teams to the NRL finals, why including those NRL players at ISC level? And would they have played if their teams had been in the NRL finals? 

Let them take their time off and prepare for next year. This is the best thing they must do.

5. The NRL players inclusion is damaging to teams' moral. From past experiences,  these players tend to leave vacuum in their teams when they aren't around. This can lead to the teams led by overlooked players who think they are not good enough.

In retrospect, it is okay to have the NRL players around during the preliminary rounds.  And also have them around in the finals.

What's not right is using an NRL player, in the final games,  who has not even played a single ISC game. An NRL player who had not played a single ISC match must not be allowed to play in the ISC finals.

Intrust Super Cup competition 

The Intrust Super Cup competition should have control over inclusion of NRL players especially in the final games. It is important that this happens to keep the integrity of the competition at the ISC level.