Former PNG Hunters enforcer has led the Central Queensland Capras’ invasion in Port Moresby yesterday.
Capras defeated PNG Hunters 16-24 at the National football stadium with former Hunters Valentine Richard scoring a double to bolster his team’s performance at his home away from home to begin their Hostplus Cup season 2026.
Richard led a total of five PNG local boys in Capras that overcome their own country men in a match that divided the fans and ignited the team’s rivalry. Understanding the rivalry between the two teams, Capras gave as much as they got and eventually walking away as victors.
Hunters head coach Paul Aiton in the post-match conference said “it is just round one and the boys will come back better.”
“Just simple errors that really hurt us in this game. But we’ll go back re-asses and we’ll improved from there. I’m happy with the boys,” Aiton said.
“I got a lot of confidence with our boys. We’ve preparade for this. We’ve prepared for round one, we’ve gone down to round one nerves but we’ll be back better than ever next weekend.”
Hunters played a catch up footy with a 0-22 down at halftime in a hope to get their first win of the season.
It was fullback Sanny Wabo who secured their first four pointer minutes into second half to drag his die into the hunt.
However, they were further blown away when play-maker Joel Gena was slapped with a sin-bin for dangerous contact that left the home side depleted to 12 men.
Just when their hopes were about to die, skipper Illa Alu retuned from the bench and showed up with the second try right under the uprights at 56th minute. The effort was backed by Myles Bnam registering his first try on debut at the edge. However, the time ran out on the home side, allowing Capras to walk away with the win.
Hunters will host Wynnum Manley Seagulls this Sunday at National Footballs Stadium.
