Paula DAVID

The Eels made light work of the Sea Eagles in a 34-4 victory on Saturday night to pick up their fourth win in a row and continue their mid-season resurgence. As the club celebrated the 40-year anniversary of their 1983 Grand Final win over Manly, the current day Eels produced a dominant first half showing which saw them run in four tries, all of which were converted by Clint Gutherson, to establish a 24-4 lead. Brad Arthur's men owned possession of the ball for most of the match and in the end Manly had just 37 percent of the Steeden, which equated to 12 fewer sets than the Eels and forced them to make 120 extra tackles. The scoreline made ugly viewing for Manly as it was and it could have been much worse, with the Eels having a number of other try claims ruled out by the Bunker. Signs of what was to come were there from the start, and what appeared to be a dodged bullet on nine minutes for Manly turned out to be the start of their downfall. After Parramatta were unsuccessful in their efforts to score, fullback Kaeo Weekes was found to have committed a professional foul in the lead up, and in the five minutes following his sin-binning the Eels scored twice to establish a 12-0 lead, with Ofahiki Ogden crashing over before Bailey Simonsson crossed. Once back to 13 players the Sea Eagles responded with a try down the left edge for Christian Tuipulotu, but ideas of a comeback were quickly thwarted by strikes from Gutherson and Hopgood. After a long break in the scoring in the second half – during which time they had possible tries for Sean Russell and Maika Sivo ruled out by the Bunker – Simonsson got his second on 61 minutes. Sivo was again denied, along with Ogden being held up in his attempt to grab a double, before Sivo turned provider with a delicate chip kick to hand Makahesi Makatoa his first try in the NRL and cap off a comprehensive victory. Source: NRL.Com

Xavier Coates was so starstruck the first time he was called into Maroons camp for his Origin debut in 2020, he spent the first day introducing himself to his favourite players. Six Origin appearances later, Coates might no longer be the awestruck kid he once was, but said he was just as excited to be called back in for a potential series victory, saying it felt like he was pulling the Queensland jersey on for the first time again. With Selwyn Cobbo ruled out with a hip-pointer injury he re-aggravated during Brisbane’s win against the Knights, Coates got the call-up from coach Billy Slater after a starring two-try performance in Melbourne's win over the Sharks – adamant as ever he was going to make the most of the opportunity. “There’s something special about this Queensland community and this Queensland group and the Maroons jersey when you pull it on. I'm just really looking forward to being a part of this camp,” Coates said. “I was pretty ecstatic for the opportunity to pull the jersey on again and I'm taking it with both hands and I'm trying to pick apart their (coaching staff and players) brains. “They're feeding me so much knowledge and I'm just trying to take it all in and become a better player for Queensland.” Under Slater, the Maroons have maintained a strong focus on doing the jersey proud for past players and those who can’t be there, with Coates saying he wanted to play well for Cobbo. “I know Selwyn pulled up not 100% and that's where Bill touched base with me and asked how would I feel like putting on this Maroons jersey?’,” Coates said. “The boys, last year in Game Two and Three, when I was injured, they were messaging me, seeing how I was doing and they were telling me that they're going to play for me. “So, now it's my opportunity to play for Selwyn and to help the boys out and do my role to the best of my ability. “It's something we always touch on in our camps and it's working for each other. “When you're out in the field doing it tough, you're not working for yourself, you look over to the mate beside you and you're going to do it for him. “It's something really special. I know I keep using the word special but it is, it's something about this Queensland spirit and something about this Maroons jersey that when we pull it on, something special happens.” Source:NRL.Com

The SP PNG Hunters are back for another home game completing a run of 4 straight home games at the Santos National Football Stadium this Saturday, 17th June when they host the Souths Logan Magpies in Round 14 of the QRL Hostplus Cup at 3pm. It’s been a promising block of games for the proud PNG-based club, having fallen agonizingly short to the improving Northern Pride in Round 11 before making light work of the Tweed Seagulls and Western Clydesdales in the last fortnight. The advantage of a growing home crowd has not been lost on the club, and they will be hoping for another packed house this Saturday against the Magpies. To have played so well in the last three games without a host of key players is a credit to the Hunters coaching staff and playing group. Senior players like Ila Alu, Sherwin Tanabi, Wesser Tenza and Jamie Mavoko have all been unavailable at times due to injury and suspension, while Sakias Komati, Junior Igila and Julius Yakopa have also missed games. In their absence, the Hunters next-gen stars have stepped up to announce themselves in the QRL competition. Tommy Moide, Joshua Mire, Sanny Wabo, Joshua Lau and Judah Rimbu have all performed beyond their years to help the Hunters climb to 10th position on the Hostplus Cup ladder heading into Round 14. They face their biggest test yet against the competition-leading Magpies this weekend, but if they play to their potential the Hunters could inch closer to a Top 8 berth with 9 rounds remaining. The Souths Logan Magpies sit atop the QRL Hostplus Cup ladder with a 9-1-2 record after 12 games played. How they handle the humid conditions and the hostile crowd at the Santos NFS this Saturday could end up being the difference in this one. The Hunters have shown they can put points on anybody on their day, and they could make things interesting for the visitors if they can register a few points early. Team list 1. Morea Morea 2. Brandon Nima (Captain) 3. Joshua Lau 4. Rodrick Tai 5. Solo Wane 6. Joshua Mire 7. Jamie Mavoko 8. Junior Rop 9. Judah Rimbu 10. Seal Kalo 11. Benji Kot 12. Epel Kapinias 13. Tommy Moide 14. Trevor Solu 15. Sanny Wabo 16. Casey Dickson 17. Philimon Kimisive 18. Julius Yakopa 19. Warren Glare 20. Sakias Komati

The first group of workers from Papua New Guinea to be employed in Australia’s aged care sector under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has arrived in regional Queensland. The eight workers from PNG provinces including Western Highlands, New Ireland and Morobe will be employed by Southern Cross Care at aged care facilities at Chinchilla, Murgon, and Taroom in Southeast Queensland, where local aged care staff have been hard to find. The Albanese Government is continuing to build a skilled aged care workforce so that older people in Australia can receive high quality, safe care. More than 600 PALM scheme workers are working in residential aged care homes in Australia. The Government is supporting an additional 500 to attain formal aged care qualifications while working in Australia, with placements to start from this month. This is the first time that PALM scheme workers from PNG have been employed in Australia’s aged care sector and demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to supporting PNG’s ambitions to increase its participation in the PALM scheme. There are 1,400 workers from PNG currently in Australia under PALM, working in a range of sectors such as agriculture and meat processing. Of these, 625 workers are based in Queensland, contributing to the culture and vibrancy of local communities. PNG PALM workers have spent more than $2.5 million in Queensland communities since July 2018. As a result of the Government’s commitment to expand and improve the PALM scheme, the total number of Pacific and Timor-Leste workers in Australia has risen from just over 24,400 a year ago to just over 38,000 today.

NSW centre Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of Origin II after succumbing to the calf injury that forced him to miss last month's season opener at Adelaide Oval. Bulldogs centreMatt Burton has again been called into the squad as 18th man, with Stephen Crichton replacing Mitchell at left centre, as he did in Origin I. Mitchell was on a limited training program but did not complete Wednesday's session and a decision was made to call up Crichton. Sharks prop Royce Hunt faces an extended period on the sideline after rupturing his syndesmosis in a tackle that resulted in Storm prop Christian Welch receiving a one-match suspension. Hunt will have ankle surgery on Tuesday and the club expects his return to field timeline to be around six weeks. Meanwhile, Panthers forward Liam Martin may need NSW officials to allow him not to train before Origin II after suffering a head knock in Saturday night's match against Sydney Roosters. Martin, who was widely considered the Blues best player in their 26-18 series opening loss at Adelaide, was ruled out of the match after collecting the hip of Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Source:NRL.Com

Responding to emergencies 24-7 is of top priority for the Saint John Ambulance (SJA) team, but when dealing with unnecessary hiccups along the way can cause damages and loss of money which can be used to help patients. A SJA crew was stoned at 2mile in the Moresby-South Electorate when the crew was heading to an emergency around 7pm on Monday 12th of June. The ambulance was responding with lights and sirens to attend to a patient from a fall from height incident. Ambulances have lights and sirens on when it is a critical life-threatening priority one case. It was unfortunate that one or two from a group of men at 2-Mile chose to stone the ambulance instead of just letting the ambulance pass through. This ambulance is brand new and will incur over K7000 in repairs because of the actions of just one or two in the community. It is vital money that could have been used to help patients. This damage will take weeks to fix. St John is now calling on the members of the community to take ownership of the ambulance to take measures to prevent damage to the ambulances through awareness in community meetings.

Primary and Elementary Schools in Rabaul district will now be implementing 5 important plans to guide them after the successful launching yesterday at Pilapila Primary School. The documents launched included the School Learning Improvement Plan (SLIP), Standard Base Curriculum (SBC) Benchmark Exam and Behavioural Management Policy. Additionally, the Disaster Risk Management Plan and the Board of Management Constitution. When addressing the students and teachers during the launching, Senior Provincial Advisor for primary schools Mr Wartovo Kilala said that Rabaul district is the first in the province to launch its school plans. “Teachers and students, these are five important documents to guide us.” “The challenge now is on the implementation part; and when schools effectively implement, it will enhance quality teaching and learning.” Also stressing on the importance of the school plans was Rabaul District School Inspector Mrs Cecilia Tapil who called on the ward members and its Ward Development Committee (WDC) to work together with school boards and implement the plans. She further said that it is quite a challenge in terms of management for Rabaul district as some of its schools are scattered across the other three districts due to the resettlement after the 1994 volcanic eruption. However, she added that the teachers and school management have proved otherwise over the years. Meantime, Rabaul Town Mayor Hon.Changol Manuai commended the Rabaul district education sector for their time and effort in compiling the booklets and successfully launching the plans. The town mayor said that as the government they will continue to support such programs in the district. The launching was attended by teachers from the four LLGs of Rabaul district, Provincial education officers, district officers, ward members and parents and students.

Blues coach Brad Fittler has named a 19-man squad for Game Two of the 2023 Ampol State of Origin series to be played in Brisbane on Wednesday, June 21. Eels halfback Mitch Moses and Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook have been recalled to the NSW side to fill the void left by the injuries to Nathan Cleary (hamstring) and Api Koroisau (jaw). Moses has played one game for the Blues in the third game of the 2021 series while Cook played 15 straight Origins between 2018 and 2022 before being overlooked for Game One. Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu, who was 19th player for Game One, and Cowboys hooker Reece Robson have been named on the bench for their Origin debuts. Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell has been named again at centre after being a late withdrawal for Game One with a calf injury. Panthers centre Stephen Crichton is the 18th Man and Rabbitohs back-rower Keaon Koloamatangi is the 19th player. Sharks playmaker Nicho Hynes and Bulldogs forward Tevita Pangai Junior have been omitted from the side that lost Game One in Adelaide. Source: NRL.Com

The SP PNG Hunters have produced back-to-back wins for the second time this season, making light work of the Western Clydesdales 40-4 in Round 13 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. The growing crowd at the Santos National Football Stadium were treated to a high-scoring affair on Saturday, 10th June as the Hunters continued their impressive run of form at home this season. The Hunters survived the early raid comfortably. They worked well from the inside to repel a clunky Clydesdales attack on both edges. Taking confidence from their defense, the Hunters moved the ball smartly in yardage, finding good meters through Benji Kot on the left edge and Epel Kapinias on the right. With the game settling into an early grind, the Hunters again attacked with their defense. A promising backline movement from the visitors came to a sudden halt when Rodrick Tai and Solo Wane jammed expertly on the right edge to prevent a certain try. Joshua Mire’s successful conversation gave the Hunters a 6-0 lead after 15 minutes. Brandon Nima and his new centre partner – debutant Joshua Lau – worked together effectively to contain the Clydesdales attack, bundling the ball carrier into touch not once, but twice in the space of five minutes. Having dominated without the ball, Nima finally got his chance in attack. Some bruising defence from Moide and Junior Rop forced an error in yardage from the visitors and halfback Judah Rimbu made them pay with a perfectly weighted grubber into the in-goal. Clydsedales fullback Jordan Lipp couldn’t clean up the loose ball and Nima was the beneficiary one channel wider. With a 16-0 lead courtesy of Mire’s conversion, the Hunters took plenty of confidence into the break and started the second half with aplomb. Forcing an early error with their line speed, the Hunters quickly set up camp on the Clydesdales line. Sanny Wabo was next to get in on the action, pouring through the space behind the markers in yardage to break into the backfield. Another big right footstep wrongfooted the fullback as Wabo finished a spectacular solo try much to the delight of the crowd. As the scoreboard climbed, it was only a matter of time until Morea crossed the line. He eventually did in the 51st minute, slicing through the defence on the left edge to pass Lau into space. A good offload back to Morea beat the cover defence as the Hunters took a 34- point lead. As fatigue set in and the conditions took its toll, the error count rose for both sides. In the disruption, the visitors scored a consolation try through Drew Timms to add some respectability to the scoreboard. A late try to strike centre Rodrick Tai summed up the Hunters dominance in this game. Their spine players engaged the line effectively to create space for Morea on the edges, and the rookie fullback summed things up smartly from there. With the confidence of back-to-back wins, the Hunters will again look to make the most of their home ground advantage when they host Souths-Logan Magpies at Santos NFS on Saturday, 17th June.

Maroons coach Billy Slater has named a 19-man squad for Game Two of the 2023 Ampol State of Origin series to be played in Brisbane on Wednesday, June 21. Having watched his side take the opening game of the 2023 series with a 26-18 victory in Adelaide, the Queensland coach has made a handful of changes for Origin II with Cowboys forward Jeremiah Nanai set to return to the fold. The 2022 Dally M Rookie of the Year missed the opening game due to suspension but returns to the side in place of Tom Gilbert, who underwent shoulder surgery following an incident in Game One – sidelining him for the rest of the year. Jai Arrow (ankle) and Selwyn Cobbo (hip pointer) are also out, with Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika and Storm winger Xavier Coates called into the side. Fotuaika is joined in the squad by Titans teammate AJ Brimson, who will feature as 18th Man, with Tom Dearden returning to club commitments with the Cowboys, while Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh joins the side as 19th Man. For Coates, it will be his first Origin game since the opening match of the 2022 series in Sydney, where he was unfortunately ruled out with injury. Source: NRL.Com  

Powerhouse Blue prop Payne Haas has thrown his support behind his Brisbane Broncos captain Adam Reynolds to get another chance in the Origin arena. New South Wales will name their squad for Game Two on Tuesday, with Reynolds one of the contenders to replace the injured Nathan Cleary in the halves for the must-win game at Suncorp Stadium on June 21. "I think I'm probably biased because I'm his teammate, but I feel like he’s ready and he's been one of the form halfbacks this year and in the last few years," Haas told media following Brisbane's close Round 15 win against the Knights where Reynolds scored the match-winning try. "So, I'm hoping he gets picked and I reckon he should, but we'll wait and see I guess." Reynolds last played for the Blues in 2016 where he played in Game One and Game Two in a losing series alongside James Maloney, but since that time said he had developed as a player and would be ready to go if presented with another opportunity. “Obviously, I know the game a lot better now, I'm a lot more confident in my own game, I know what I do well, I know what I don't do well, I know my strengths and I know my weaknesses,” Reynolds said. "It's out of my control, I've got no bearing on what happens from here on out. "If I get selected great, I don't get selected, I'll still be cheering on the Blues. “I can't do anything else, I've played my game, (but) probably wasn't at my best tonight. “It's all irrelevant what I say, it's up to Freddy (NSW coach Brad Fittler) and the coaching staff now if they want to go my way. “I am more than happy to put my hand up and do my best next Wednesday night, but if I don't get the nod, I'll still be cheering on New South Wales. "Hopefully they can get the job done.” While Reynolds and Haas regularly receive cheers as Brisbane’s best performers when playing at Suncorp Stadium, Haas knew it would be a different story from the crowd for Origin II and said he was looking forward to the challenge ahead to defy history and claim a series win. “Obviously we know Suncorp and how hard it is to win (Origin), but it's a good challenge for us,” Haas - who played 70 minutes for the Broncos in the win, with 199 run metres, eight tackle breaks and 44 tackles made - said. “Queensland is pretty red-hot at the moment, so I can’t wait to take on that challenge and hopefully get picked and go into camp and work hard and improve on Game One. “I think there was enough evidence in Game One that we can get the job done and obviously, we lost the little moments in the last 10 minutes. "It's a big game coming up and I want to tie it up and I want to win the series.” Source: NRL.com

Superstars Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans dazzled and Reuben Garrick piled on 30 points of his own in Manly's 58-18 demolition of the Dolphins on Friday night. After suffering a head knock in the Origin opener, Trbojevic received a clearance from the NRL to play in Round 15 and came up trumps with two tries and 201 running metres, while Cherry-Evans called the shots in style and Garrick bagged three tries and nine goals. The Sea Eagles made a blistering start with Jason Saab crossing in the fourth minute after slick lead-up work from Cherry-Evans and Garrick. Garrick had a try of his own four minutes later as he left Euan Aitken in his wake and he knocked over the conversion for a 10-0 lead. A spilled ball by Dolphins youngster Valynce Te Whare then handed Manly the field position to post a third try and it was Trbojevic who delivered with a 35-metre charge to the line. Hooker Lachlan Croker then grabbed a soft try to make it 16-0 to the rampant Sea Eagles before a double movement ruling against Toafofoa Sipley denied them a fifth of the night. The Dolphins managed to stem the tide in the 23rd minute when Jamayne Isaako crossed for his 14th try of the season to pull the score back to 22-6 but the Sea Eagles struck again seven minutes later when Garrick completed his double. Leading by 22 points at the break the Sea Eagles stretched their lead with another razzle dazzle effort in the 46th minute when Cherry-Evans took the odds to a chip kick over the top from deep in his own territory. The Cherry-Evans kick was gathered by Garrick who found Trbojevic in support and then took a return pass from his fullback before giving it back Turbo for a slashing try. Come the 51st minute and it was Josh Schuster laying on a try for Tolu Koula with a well weighted chip kick and Manly had raced to a 40-6 lead. Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow then showed his blistering pace to notch his 11th try of the sesason before Koula raced 70 metres for his second of the night and the Sea Eagles closed in on a half century. With 10 minutes to play Saab became the fourth Sea Eagle to rack up a double courtesy of a Garrick flick pass, who converted the try to take his own tally to 24 points. Garrick kept the party going in the 75th minute when he crossed for his third try and landed his ninth goal to equal his own club record of 30 points in a match, which he also shares with Matthew Ridge (1996) and Ron Rowles (1954). Source:NRL.Com