The Papua New Guinea Hunters rugby league team overcame a major injury setback to defeat the Mackay Cutters and move inside the Intrust Super Cup top four.
The PNG Hunters have relocated to Queensland for the 2021 season. Photo: Facebook/PNG Hunters
Star winger Brendon Gutuno will see a surgeon today after breaking his arm in the third minute of the Hunters 26-14 victory in Mackay on Saturday night.
The Cutters opened the scoring six minutes later but the Hunters recovered to lead 16-4 at the break and eventually prevailed by five tries to three to chalk up back to back wins.
Coach Matt Church was encouraged with how the Hunters fitness held up in the key moments, despite being a man down for much of the night.
"Watching back the Round One game we probably finished stronger than Wynnum and we certainly did the same against Ipswich as well, which was always going to be a concern without playing those (pre-season) games...we probably just need a bit more attention to detail with ball security."
Brendon Gutuno, who bagged a hat-trick in the Hunters round two win against Ipswich, is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.
"Brendon is positive about his recovery and he's looking forward to getting back in the number five jersey and he remains in Australia with us and he'll go and see a surgeon tomorrow (Monday) for surgery and hopefully it's four to six weeks and we can see him back on the park," Church said.
"Very soon we get a number of byes which means that helps his recovery because he won't miss games for probably two of the byes but he's keen to remain, he's in good spirits and we'll get around and support him and get him back on the field as soon as possible."
The Hunters have 20 players available for Saturday's home clash against Sunshine Coast Falcons, with Gutuno among three injured players, while second-rower and vice-captain Kevin Appo will complete his two-week suspension following a shoulder charge in the round two win over Ipswich.
PNG Hunters winger Brendon Gutono. Photo: Jim O'Reilly/QRL
With back to back wins under their belt for only the second time since 2018, the Hunters are beginning to hit their stride, Church said.
"I feel like after a few games I've got a better understanding of the playing group and I think they've got a better understanding of my standards as well. We'll continue to build of that but certainly really happy to be back playing and seeing the boys performing well."
Home away from home
It's been just over five weeks since the Hunters completed 31 days in managed isolation before settling into their new home base in Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast.
By and large the squad has adjusted well to their new surroundings, Church said, with the local PNG community embracing the team while they are far from home.
"There are guys that are really loving life in Australia and guys that are missing home, and some other guys that are probably non-plussed about the whole thing and that sort of changes from week to week, so just being able to manage that and make sure that we're on top of that and the boys are remaining connected to home.
"They all know that they've made a huge commitment to come here and perform and that's the encouraging thing is that we're actually starting to do that. We're still not the finished product: we can continue to get better and we look forward to get better."
Their is also hope that a few Hunters players who stayed behind in Papua New Guinea will be able to eventually join the rest of the squad in Australia.
The club has applied for travel approval but strict entry caps and a surge in Covid-19 cases in PNG have complicated matters,Church said.
"For that to happen we first need approval from the Australia government to fly our people over so at this stage that's probably beyond our control, so we'll just have to manage that as best as possible and adjust and overcome like we have I guess this whole sequence of being over here."