Valley Hunters snap Brothers unbeaten streak

The SWG TSI Valley Hunters pulled off a gritty 15-3 victory over the Kramer APAC Brothers in Round 12 of the Pepsi Capital Rugby Union (CRU) inaugural Super Round Men's Premier Grade main fixture on Saturday, 4 July 2026, at Bava Park.

Headlining the highly anticipated Super Round blockbuster, the Valley Hunters and Brothers locked horns and battled for supremacy, with the back-to-back premiers prevailing over their rivals. 

In a high-stakes contest, both teams rose to the challenge and left everything on the pitch. The Valley Hunters and Brothers defended their try lines resolutely, with the two sides converting a penalty goal each and leveling the score on 3 points apiece at halftime. 

The Valley Hunters came firing in the second half and kept the Joe Kautu-coached outfit at bay, registering two tries and a penalty goal and giving the table-topping Brothers their first loss of the season. 

Valley Hunters coach Frank Genia expected a grudge match, given the two sides’ recent rivalry, praising his men’s rigorous preparation to stop the resurgent Brothers.  

“We prepared really well for this game because obviously, the Brothers have found their form and have been playing good footy this season,” he said.

“I’m really happy with our intent the whole week during training, and we showed that today on the field.

“As always, it was a great contest against the Brothers. I’m happy that we came on top with a hard-fought win.” 

Genia explained that following a 3-all tie at the break, he told the boys to stick to the process, in which the players listened and executed the instruction in the second half to come home with a crucial win. 

The Valley Hunters’ mentor admitted that the Brothers challenged them in the lineout, noting that they would focus on polishing up in that particular area in the upcoming matches.

Coach Genia lauded the Kautu brothers, featuring Jonah, Tisa, and coach Joe, who are the heart and soul of the Kramer APAC-sponsored Brothers.  

Frank credited his brother’s leadership, Will Genia, who used his international experience in the second half to guide the team to a gripping win. 

“Good to have Will back in the team. He is back and forth, spending time with his family, so when he is in Port Moresby, he helps the boys out,” Frank said.

“It was good having him back, which gives the boys a boost. He is a good voice behind the pack and gives confidence to the players.”

The coach also acknowledged the CRU for coming up with the first-ever Super Round and hopes that this concept will be maintained next season and onwards.

“I thought the Super Round was fantastic. CRU needs to leverage this a little bit more and perhaps go to a different venue,” Genia said.

“The engagement today was really good, which brought the former Pukpuks to watch the matches and reconnect with the game.

“It’s great that the CRU is thinking outside the box and trying to do something different this year, and we fully back this concept.” 

The inaugural Capital Rugby Union brought all eight Premier Grade clubs together at Bava Park, delivering a full day of rugby spectacle and celebrating rivalries, clubs, and the community that make the CRU what it is.