Cutters Season Comes To An End

The Mackay Cutters wrapped up their 2022 Hostplus Cup campaign with a closely fought loss to the PNG Hunters in Port Moresby last Saturday.

The Hunters' first game in Papua New Guinea since 2019 started with the visitors scoring first when Jayden Morgan barged his way over the line in the 16th minute.

The Cutters were in again three minutes later when Kyle Krisanski-Kennedy found space down the Cutters’ left edge.

Momentum swayed back the way of the home side with Hunters centres Rodrick Tai and Benji Kot scoring in the 27th and 34th minutes.

In true Hunters fashion, some exciting play and clever offloads down the right edge saw Liam Joseph score in the right-hand corner to give PNG a 14-12 lead at half-time.

The Cutters reclaimed the lead early in the first half when Luke Wembley crossed in the 44th minute.

The Hunters hit back in the 50th minute thanks to a forceful run from Emmanuel Waine.

The home side extended their lead in the 57th minute when Sherwin Tanabi jumped on a crafty Kingstimer Paraia grubber.

Gehamat Shibisaki brought the Cutters back into the game, crossing the line in the 63rd minute before they reclaimed their lead in the 70th minute when Laitia Moceidreke found the corner.

With three minutes left on the clock, lively ball play saw the Hunters make a break down the right side.

The crowd erupted when brilliant support from Wartovo Puara saw the Hunters’ hooker score the match winner in the last set of the game, the Hunters defeating the Cutters 30-28.

Just two days before the match, it was uncertain whether the game would go ahead in Port Moresby.

On Thursday, August 25, Queensland Rugby League issued the Cutters with a notice of intention to terminate their Participation Agreement after the club advised it would not provide a team to play in the final round of the Hostplus Cup season.

The Cutters Board of Directors responded later that day with a statement saying they were “extremely disappointed” that the QRL issued the notice.

“At all times our only concern is the welfare and safety of our players and staff. We look forward to continuing discussions with the QRL regarding this weekend’s fixture,” the statement reads.

“We note that the travel warning to Port Moresby has been in place since the 27th of July 2022 and is still listed as of today, 25th of August 2022. We further note the previous two Hostplus Cup rounds to this region have been cancelled by Queensland Rugby League (QRL) while this warning has been in place. This concerned the Mackay Cutters Board and has been critical in decision making.”

After assurances from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Defence Force, the match went ahead as scheduled.

“I was really proud of the way we performed in a fair bit of adversity,” said departing Cutters head coach Dave Elliot.

“Through no fault of our own, our preparation was terrible.”

The round 20 fixture ends Mr Elliot’s tenure as head coach.

Reflecting on his year with the Cutters, Mr Elliot says he’s proud of the improvements made on last year’s result.

“Results have certainly improved,” he said.

“Again, we’re a young squad so I think, individually, players have improved as well.”

“I’d like to think our footprint within our community has improved as well, and our connection to the community.”

Mr Elliot says it’s sad to be leaving but he’s excited for what the next opportunity holds.

“I hope that the Cutters can just continue to improve, I really do,” he said.

“They’ll always have a spot in my heart that they will continue to improve and go from strength to strength.”

The Mackay Cutters travelled to Port Moresby to take on the PNG Hunters in the Hunters’ first home game since 2019. Photos supplied: Mackay Cutters

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