HUNTERS’ HISTORY IN DRAMATIC TITLE FIGHT
THE PNG Hunters have completed their fairytale run to their first Queensland Cup premiership, after cult hero Willie Minoga delivered his team the historic victory over the Sunshine Coast yesterday.
The 12-10 win came in the dying minutes of the thrilling showdown at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
It was a match that had it all – big hits, flashy plays, wasted opportunities and those moments that will go down in rugby league folklore.
For the Hunters, this entire match is one for the history books. But the moment that summed it all up belonged to Minoga.
With just one minute left on the clock, skipper Ase Boas put through a grubber for the veteran star to equal the score.
Boas then added the two points and it was done – the Hunters had won their first Intrust Super Cup premiership after just four seasons in the competition.
Coach Michael Marum was initially lost for words.
He said utility Minoga was a bench player because of the impact he brought.
And while Marum did think for one terrifying second that Minoga hadn’t grounded the ball, the impact player delivered the goods.
“He’s been one of our best players from the start,” Marum said.
“We’ve put him back on the bench as one of our impact players. He is who we can go to when the going gets tough.”
There is no doubt Papua New Guinea will celebrating this victory all week long.