Papua New Guinea Hunters rugby league team are looking for a new head coach following Matthew Church's departure to Hostplus Cup rivals Brisbane Tigers.
The National quotes Hunters' chairman Stan Joyce as saying Church was instrumental in the club's continued participation in the Queensland-based Hostplus Cup competition.
He says the Hunters have faced unprecedented challenges over the last few seasons, but under Church's direction, the club and players have always demonstrated great resilience.
Papua New Guinea Hunters coach Matt Church. Photo: Supplied
The Tigers announced Church's appointment on Monday ahead of their finals campaign this weekend.
The 45-year-old has been the head coach of the Hunters for the past three seasons.
Church, a former Origin Greats Colts and Mal Meninga Cup coach with the Tigers, will return to the club which kick-started his coaching career.
After retiring from playing, he began his coaching career with the Tigers, coaching the club's junior representative sides from 2013-2015, before taking a role with the Melbourne Storm National Youth Competition squad in 2016-2017.
Church was the assistant coach of the Sunshine Coast Falcons in 2019, before taking up the Hunters role in 2020.
The Hunters will advertise the role in the coming weeks.
Ex-Fiji international Sims to retire
Former Fijian rugby league international Korbin Sims has announced he is retiring.
Media in the UK report that the Hull KR prop will hang his boots up at the end of the current English league season.
The 30-year-old has made 173 career appearances for Newcastle Knights, Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons and Hull KR.
He won nine caps for Fiji and played in the 2013 and 2017 World Cups.