The Papua New Guinea Hunters rugby league team are determined to regain the Kokoda Cup when they face an out of form Burleigh Bears on Sunday afternoon.
The PNG Hunters have relocated to Queensland for the 2021 season. Photo: Scott Davis / QRL
It's been four years since the Hunters have held the prized trophy, whis is contested between the teams every Anzac Day.
Burleigh crushed the visitors 56-4 when the teams last met at Pizzey Park two years ago, but the reigning premiers have struggled so far this season with just one win from four games.
The Hunters have surged to third in the Intrust Super Cup standings off the back of a three game winning streak and are chasing four straight wins for the first time since August 2018.
"The Kokoda Cup is something that we spoke about in the pre-season and it will be a focus for us when we play on Anzac Day because that period in history means a lot to the team and to Hunters supporters," coach Matt Church said.
"We have spoken about the shared history of PNG and Australia at Kokoda and the teamwork that was so important at that time. We know that we haven't played our best in those last two Kokoda Cup matches so this weekend provides us with a chance to play well."
The Burleigh Bears celebrate their Kokoda Cup win in 2019. Photo: QRL Media
Veteran hooker Wartovo Puara Jnr remains in doubt for Sunday's clash after injuring his ankle in last weekend's 32-12 win against Sunshine Coast Falcons.
The PNG Kumuls international became the first Hunters player to play 100 Intrust Super Cup games in 2018 and if he takes the field on Sunday he will break the club record for most matches in the Queensland competition.
The Hunters have the best defensive record in the Intrust Super Cup, conceding just 68 points in four games, but Matt Church wasn't reading too much into Burleigh's early struggles.
"The results haven't gone the Bears way so far but they are a very good team and a very physical team and playing them at home is always a challenge," he said.
"We'll go to Pizzey Park this weekend knowing the test that awaits us and knowing that we will have to play very well. They have a wonderful record at their home ground and they'll have a big crowd but we also know that our local PNG fans will be there to support us which is something that the whole team appreciates."
