THE door remains open for Papua New Guinea internationals currently boosting the rank and file of the London Broncos in the English Championship Cup to return home to the PNG Hunters.
The six Papua New Guineans currently with the Broncos are Gairo Voro, Epel Kapinias, Morea Morea, Robert Mathias, Finley Glare, Jeremiah Simbiken and Alex Max. Six were former Hunters except for Simbiken.
Talks this week in the Hunters camp suggest a new direction for the try-hungry seven who have left imprints in England wherever their boots take them. Headlining these discussions is their possible return.
Hunters’ chief executive officer Scott Barker said the club would gladly welcome them back if their plans in England do not lead to promotion to the Betfred Super League competition, including further long-term opportunities.
“Obviously we’d love to see them all go to Super League with the London Broncos,” Barker said. “If they don’t, I’d love to see them come back to the Hunters, strengthen the team and then push for a Chiefs spot in 2028.”
The comments revealed how the PNG Hunters are thinking beyond their current struggles and planning, especially the future of their players.
The move to London was under their overseas development pathway strategy designed to expose PNG talent to professional environments outside the country.
While Barker admitted losing some of the club’s best players was difficult, he said the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term pain.
“They are all quality players,” Barker said. “While I was sad to see them go, I also wanted them to experience what it is like to live (and play) in London.”
Barker explained that the Hunters’ vision for development goes beyond wins and losses.
He believes learning to adapt to a different culture, lifestyle and professional environment is an important part of helping players grow as individuals.
“The Hunters’ development programme is not just about football. It’s also about personal growth away from the game,” he said.
The possibility of those players returning could become a major boost for the Hunters in the coming seasons.
If overseas opportunities do not progress as hoped, Barker sees Port Moresby as more than a fallback option but a launch pad.
With the PNG Chiefs preparing for their NRL debut in 2028, the return of the players could strengthen the Hunters and place themselves back into contention for the next level.
