The Papua New Guinea Hunters will reset their focus on an eight-game drive to the Intrust Super Cup finals after trying their hearts out for an unwell teammate in a loss to the Burleigh Bears today.

The Hunters wanted to win for Jokadi Bire, who continues to recover from serious surgery in a Gold Coast hospital. The Hunters carried Bire’s name or playing number written on strapping on their wrists.

But the Bears, stacked with NRL experience including Gold Coast Titans players Anthony Don and Tanah Boyd, completed a 40-6 victory at Cbus Super Stadium.