PNG Hunters

Money raised at Fiji Kaiviti Silktails and PNG Hunters match will go to Tonga

All money raised at the game will go to their Pacific neighbour Tonga after it was devastated by a tsunami and ash from an undersea volcanic eruption in January.

The match will be played on Saturday February 26 at Runaway Bay, near Southport, on the Gold Coast.

The day will include functions, sporting memorabilia auctions, and other activities around the game with all funds raised going directly to the re-build in Tonga.

The tragedy affected 84 per cent of Tonga's population, with homes, schools and hospitals either washed away or buried under the ash fall.

Hunters players to be counselled

Ottio, who had been due to fly to England with Kumuls teammate Wellington Albert on Thursday to join Super League club Widnes, passed away at the Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby at 2am on Tuesday after collapsing during a road run on Sunday.

Hunters players held a bedside vigil for the 23-year-old, who had asked to join the session with the Queensland Cup premiers at short notice.

PNG's secret weapon to bring down Panthers

Now towering prop Wellington Albert is promising to use it against Penrith in Sunday's Intrust Super Championship.

Albert and his younger brother Stanton both played under-20s for the Panthers and are among seven PNG Hunters players who represented the Kumuls against the Cook Islands in Campbelltown earlier this year, a game in which PNG triumphed 32-22.

Hunters trailing behind Blackhawks at break

In the Intrust Super Cup round 23 clash, Hunters opened the scoreboard with an unconverted try from Adex Wera in the 8 minutes to lead 4-0.

Twelve minutes later, the Blackhawks regrouped in a fast pace to capitalise into the Hunters zone with their first from Laybutt to level with Hunters, 4-4.

With only 5 minutes on the clock, Laybutt slid through the Hunters defense for his second to extend the lead to 6-4 at half-time.