2017 PNG Digicel Cup Grand Final

[mikail-eagle]

The 2017 PNG Domestic season will come to an end next weekend on Saturday 9 September 2017.

And again it will be a replay of last years Grand Final between the Lae Tigers and the Rabaul Gurias.

The Gurias will be playing in a record 4th Consecutive Grand Final and will be itching to take revenge on the Tigers who bit them in the big dance last year.

The Tigers on the other hand will be playing in their 2nd straight Grand Final and will be looking to win back to back titles.

May the best team win.

 

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With the 2017 Grand Final on this weekend I thought maybe I should just put out a list of all the past Grand Finals played since the Competition Started in 1990.

Year Premiers Runners Up Score Attendance
1990 Port Moresby Vipers Mt Hagen Eagles 22-14 9,230
1991 Port Moresby Vipers Mt Hagen Eagles 18-16 8,900
1992 Port Moresby Vipers Mt Hagen Eagles 36-0 12,112
1993 Goroka Lahanis Port Moresby Vipers 22-10 8,291
1994 Port Moresby Vipers Goroka Lahanis 36-30 8,011
1995 Lae Bombers Mendi Muruks 28-18 10,232
1996 Mendi Muruks Kundiawa Warriors 11-10 12,312
1997 Mt Hagen Eagles Lae Bombers 19-16 10,271
1998 Mt Hagen Eagles Mendi Muruks 14-6 9,278
1999 Goroka Lahanis Rabaul Gurias 24-0 10,812
2000 Enga Mioks Rabaul Gurias 36-20 14,123
2001 Rabaul Gurias Goroka Lahanis 18-2 10,912
2002 Lae Bombers Rabaul Gurias 14-12 12,321
2003 Rabaul Gurias Lae Bombers 17-16 12,381

2004 Season Not played*

2005 Rabaul Gurias Port Moresby Bulldogs 14-13 10,249
2006 Mendi Muruks Goroka Lahanis 19-14 12,021
2007 Mendi Muruks Rabaul Gurias 42-6 11,000+
2008 Mendi Muruks Mt Hagen Eagles 14-4 12,000+
2009 Rabaul Gurias Enga Mioks 24-14 15,000+
2010 Goroka Lahanis Mendi Muruks 21-10 15,000+
2011 Goroka Lahanis Rabaul Gurias 20-10 15,000+
2012 Rabaul Gurias Mendi Muruks 14-10 15,000+
2013 Port Moresby Vipers Goroka Lahanis 36-14 15,000+
2014 Hela Wigmen Rabaul Gurias 34-8 15,000+
2015 Rabaul Gurias TNA Lions 26-18 16,000+
2016 Lae Tigers Rabaul Gurias 14-8 16,000+

 

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.thenational.com.pg/tigers-gurias-primed/

Tigers, Gurias primed

DESPITE being overshadowed somewhat by the Q-Cup major semifinal on Sunday, tomorrow’s Digicel Cup grand final is expected to attract the fans out to the Sir John Guise Stadium.

For the grand finalists, it is a replay of last year’s decider with defending premiers the Lae Tigers taking on perennial threats the Agmark Gurias.

After a 14-week season the cream of the PNG National Rugby League Competition has risen to the top with arguably the two best sides meeting at the 15,000 capacity venue — the first two weeks of the of the finals series were played at the neighbouring PNG Football Stadium — in a fitting finale.

The Tigers have the wood on the Gurias this season winning two of their three encounters with their 18-16 major semifinal win two weeks ago earning coach Stanley Tepend’s men the first grand final berth.

The Gurias went on to beat the Hela Wigmen 16-12 in last Sunday’s preliminary final to set up a replay of last year’s final.

It will be all different ball game with the two top teams to grasp the prestigious Digicel Cup.
Gurias coach Steven Nightingale said his side has had a more relaxed approach to this year’s grand final.

“I’ve told them to enjoy the week leading up because you never know,” Nightingale said. “It’s been another tough season and we’re looking to finish on a positive note.” He said the week had been used by the team to recover from their win over the Wigmen and the final line-up would be confirmed on grand final day.

For the Tigers, Timothy Lomai is the only change to the side that won a fortnight ago, with the former Hunters player named as the 18th man.

Tepend said he would retain the side that beat the Gurias on Aug 27.
“We’re only going by what we did last year and training has been good this week. We’ve got a few young faces and this would be their first time to play in a final so it’s a big thing for them,” Tepend said.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Gurias:
1. Konie Bernard,
2. William Aquila,
3. Eliakim Lukara,
4. John Ragi Jr,
5. Lucas Kapinias,
6. Jason Missian,
7. Stanley Olo,
8. Ila Alu (C),
9. Brian Gispe,
10. Dilbert Issac,
11. Tuvi Lepan,
12. Edward Goma,
13. Nelson Daplen;

Reserves:
14. John Mondo,
15. Philemon Taim,
16. Emmanuel John,
17. Billy Torea


Tigers:
1. Joe Joshua,
2. Billy Paul,
3. Pasu Awani,
4. Enoch Sine,
5. Anderson Benford,
6. Edwin Ipape,
7. Charlie Simon,
8. Mark Piti,
9. Noel Joel,
10. Junior Rop,
11. Rex Yallon,
12. Tiger Emere,
13. Ishmael Balkawa;

Reserves:
14. Wesa Tenza,
15. John Andy,
16. Joe Joe Wallamas,
17. Paul Mugua,
18. Timothy Lomai.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Gurias

Tigers

 

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The Lae Tigers have won back to back premierships by winning the Grand Final this afternoon.
The Tigers kicked a filed goal in extra-time to beat the Gurias 11-10

More details to follow later.

 

[Chip Kick]

sore lo ol maku blo mi, mi tung bai yumi win tasol nogat....

 

[mikail-eagle]

Gurias still a very young side.
Next year stap.
Bai yumi traim gen.

 

[stormbati]

Will this side (Winners) play the Hunters?

 

[mikail-eagle]

Will this side (Winners) play the Hunters?

No the Lae Tigers will play the Fiji Champions next year in the Melansian Cup.

Both the Lae Tigers and the Rabaul Gurias also have a lot of the Hunters fringe and squad players on a weekly basis and are currently almost like feeder clubs to the Hunters.