Picture: Supplied
Papua New Guinea Hunters halfback Joshua Lau has ended his rugby league career with the club on his own terms.
The livewire playmaker and former Lae Tigers player departed the Hunters after making his debut in 2023, compiling 33 career appearances and 12 tries.
Lau’s departure was announced yesterday by Hunters head coach Paul Aiton in Port Moresby. He said a few Hunters players have secured overseas contracts, which the team is proud of, but Lau’s decision to leave is unfortunate for the club.
“We’ve also got Josh Lau who requested leave for personal reasons. He left, which is unfortunate. But now, I’ve got quite a few boys stepping up to take the role,” Aiton said.
He added that Papua New Guinea national rugby league competition 2025 premiership winner Joel Gene has joined the team this preseason and looks promising.
Lau had a tough debut season but showed a flamboyant playing style that burst onto the scene in 2024, earning his place before his season ended earlier than expected due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. This injury also dashed the club’s hopes of returning to the title decider for the first time since 2017, when the Hunters ended their season against the North Devils in the third week of the finals.
Lau recovered from his injury and returned to full contact this year with the help of the Hunters, but he played only eight games, recording seven try assists and eight line breaks—not his personal best.
His combination with Jamie Mavoko and Finley Glare remains a highlight admired by many. However, both Lau and Glare have now departed the Hunters. Finley has signed with the London Broncos, leaving Mavoko alone in search of a new halfback partner as preseason training continues ahead of the 2026 season kickoff.
