Rimbu named the Top Player for 2024 Hostplus Cup

Hunters' hooker Judah Rimbu was named the best player of the Hostplus Cup. (Image: QRL / Eric Lucero)

Papua New Guinea Hunters electric hooker Judah Rimbu has earned the Petero Civoniceva medal for the Play of the Year in the 2024 Hostplus Cup season.

Despite the Hunters missing out in the grand final, the club was able to celebrate an outstanding season with Rimbu announced as the Petero Civoniceva Medalist.

The star hooker polled 21 points across the season [adjudicated by the referees under a 3-2-1 points system] to edge out Cody Hunter of Sunshine Coast Falcons, Thomas Duffy [Northern Pride], Rory Ferguson [Souths Logan Magpies] and Pride's playmaker Jake Clifford.

Rimbu's achievement has been highly praised by Hunters as the club ended a 7-year finals drought, finishing in top-4 in the finals.

The Hunter no.92 started his journey with the club in 2021 when they were forced to relocate to the Gold Coast due to the COVID pandemic.

Since then, he has amassed 69 appearances in the Queensland Rugby League Competition to quickly establish himself as a senior member of the SP PNG Hunters playing group.

The club in a statement said has displayed outstanding utility value since making his debut four years ago, proving himself an eager learner, a keen student of the game and a wonderful clubman during a challenging growth period for the club.

Closing out the 2024 QRL Hostplus Cup regular season as the club’s first-choice hooker and a key contributor in their finals campaign, Rimbu’s scintillating form this year has come as no surprise to those who have followed his journey.

From a total 23 games this season, Rimbu posted 16 tries [fourth most in the QRL] and assisted another five to comfortably rank as one of the most productive attacking players in the competition.

An average 82 running meters [and 91 tackle busts; fourth most in the QRL] per game is testament to Rimbu’s contributions in yardage, while his 726 total tackles (also fourth most) at a 94% efficiency speaks to Rimbu’s tireless efforts on both sides of the ball.

Hunters chief executive officer Scott Barker was pleased to see Rimbu recognised by his peers.

“On behalf of the SP PNG Hunters, I’d like to congratulate Judah on his outstanding 2024 campaign,” Barker said.

“While the Hunters' success this year has absolutely been a whole-club effort, Judah has been pivotal to that success, and we’re pleased to see him recognised today.”