Sport: PNG Hunters v Townsville rivalry resumes in Port Moresby

1:54 pm on 9 April 2016

The burgeoning rivalry between the Papua New Guinea Hunters and Townsville Blackhawks will write another chapter tomorrow in what's expected to be a full house at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

PNG Hunters players sign posters at their 2016 season launch.

PNG Hunters players sign posters at their 2016 season launch. Photo: SP Hunters

The Hunters beat last season's minor premiers home and away during the regular season but had their 17-match unbeaten streak snapped in the major semi-final in Townsville before losing the grand final qualifier a week later.

Both teams are again setting the early pace in this year's Queensland Cup with the Blackhawks five from five and PNG in a tie for second spot with four wins.

Townsville coach Kristian Woolf is a big fan on the Hunters team and is predicting another close encounter.

"I like the way they play and the passion that they play with and the aggression they play with. We've built a bit of a rivalry there...and we had three really good tough clashes that all came within a few points and were really hotly contested and that certainly helps to build a bit of a rivalry."

"We've probably added to that a little bit this year: we've got a young guy from the Hunters called Willie Minoga playing for us as well."

"I know he can't wait to get home and play against his old team and I'm sure they can't wait to play against him as well so it all leads towards a really good game and it's two teams that are in really good form at the moment as well," he said.

Kristian Woolf said the Blackhawks are hoping their PNG connection will help to draw a big crowd.

Former Kumuls international Rhyse Martin will be in the Blackhawks squad, alongside Willie Minoga, while fellow PNG reps Ray Thompson and Neville Costigan are currently injured.