The Papua New Guinea Hunters plan to spread their home matches across a number of venues next season in an effort to boost revenues, with the bulk of games to be played in the capital Port Moresby.
The Hunters have been based in Kokopo since their debut last season, while a number of venues were being constructed in Moresby for the Pacific Games.
A sell-out crowd of 15,000 watched the Hunters play at Sir John Guise Stadium last month, while Sir Hubert Murray Stadium and the upgraded Lloyd Robson Oval will also be available.
The annual Prime Minister's rugby league clash between Australia and Papua New Guinea will be held at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, which also hosted the Pacific Games. Photo: Facebook / Hon Justin W Tkatchenko MP
Hunters and PNG Rugby League CEO Shane Morris says bigger crowds will help the bottom line with the club having to cover the costs of flights, meals and accommodation for all visiting teams.
"We've got to make a business decision so it comes to your expenses too: being in Port Moresby flying in and out you've only got the one flight instead of connecting flights but also we will make sure that we have other games in Kokopo next year because they were very good to us. We're going to make sure we still engage that part of the country. Also in the Eastern Highlands they're doing a stadium upgrade too so if that gets to the standards of the competition we're looking at having games up there, not just for the Hunters but other international matches around the country".
Shane Morris says the club is in a fortunate position where they can pick and choose where to play home matches next season.
Papua New Guinea Rugby League and PNG Hunters CEO Shane Morris. Photo: RNZI / Vinnie Wylie
The Hunters host the Townsville Blackhawks this weekend in a top of the table clash.
