PNG Digicel Cup Aiming for July 4 Kick Off

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A third venue will be opened up for use this weekend.

https://www.thenational.com.pg/kalabond-oval-gets-approval-2/

Kalabond Oval gets approval

Gurias to host Muruks in their first home game of the season KOKOPO residents will attend their first Digicel Cup match of the season after the Kalabond Oval was given the nod to host home side Rabaul Gurias and the Muruks on Saturday.
Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition manager Stanley Hondina said in a statement yesterday that the Mendi outfit would travel from Lae to Kokopo on Friday.
“I can confirm that this round-seven game will go ahead in Kokopo on Saturday, with kick-off at 2pm,” he said.
“Ticket prices, points of sale and the number of spectators allowed will be announced in the next few days.”
Hondina said a triple-header and double-header would be played in Port Moresby and Lae respectively on Sunday.He said having a game or two in the remaining rounds in Kimbe, Wabag, Minj and Goroka was still a possibility.
“I have held discussions with each venue staff and franchise owner, and they understand the strict protocols to comply with to host a Digicel Cup game,” Hondina said.
Meanwhile, he said the past two weeks had been a financial burden with no crowds in Port Moresby.
“We are still awaiting clearance and advice on whether Port Moresby can see a return of crowds to the games soon,” Hondina said.
He said it was their commitment to every Papua New Guinean to continue running the country’s premier rugby league competition amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There has been so much talk about the virus causing panic, stress, economic downturn and anxiety,” he said.
“People in attendance gives them an opportunity to support their teams and keeps them pre-occupied and stress-free.
“We also use this environment to relay these important messages.”
Hondina said the financial implications were becoming increasingly difficult by managing the competition weekly. “However, we are determined to see the season come to a successful end,” Hondina said.
“Franchises, sponsors and partners have been advised of the support needed and we are optimistic.
“They will assist us to go forward together and complete the season.”

Fixtures: Sat, Aug 22 — Rabaul Gurias v Mendi Muruks; Sun, Aug 23 — Kimbe Cutters v Mt Hagen Eagles, Lae Tigers v Enga Mioks, Gulf Isou, v Goroka Lahanis, Central Dabaris v Port Moresby Vipers, Waghi Tumbe v Hela Wigmen.

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/wabo-happy-with-team/

Wabo happy with team

HELA Wigmen coach Charlie Wabo says he is satisfied with his side’s performance so far in the 2020 Digicel Cup season.
With five rounds remaining before the finals, the 2019 grand finalists have won five and lost one out of the completed six rounds and are third on the 12-team ladder behind the Lae Tigers and Mendi Muruks, who are first and second respectively.
Wabo said the Wigmen had other issues off the field but he credited his men for their commitment and focus on the games week in and week out that had seen them progress well so far.
“I am very happy and satisfied with how my players are committing themselves in training and on game days which is a huge contributor in our wins,” the former Kumul said after his side’s 20-6 triumph over Mt Hagen Eagles last week.
“We have faced challenges with some off field issues in the team but what excites me is that those issues have not distracted the boys one bit and they always remain focused and composed which boosts the team spirit.
“Their performance so far is the proof of their focus and commitment. But we still have five rounds remaining,” Wabo said.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. We just want to keep maintaining our style of play and the team spirit.”
Wabo said his side still needed improvementsi some areas of their game if they were to be considered a serious contender for the title.
“We still have areas to improve on and one of them is our spine.
“Our playmakers are still yet to get the attacking structure right most of the time.”

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/tarum-urges-vipers-to-maintain-consistency/

Tarum urges Vipers to maintain consistency

COACH Leonard Tarum has warned his Port Moresby Vipers to maintain consistency after their 18-8 Digicel Cup win over Waghi Tumbe at Sir John Guise Stadium on Sunday.
The round-six triumph was the Vipers’ third-straight win and their fourth victory of the season in the country’s premier rugby league competition.
Tarum said his men appeared to have found their rhythm with five rounds of the regular season remaining before the top-six playoffs.
“We got off to a slow start this season but it’s great that we’ve settled,” he said of his fifth-placed Vipers.
“We’re starting to build consistency.
“We knew Tumbe would be tough despite them being below us on the ladder.
“I am happy that we weren’t complacent.
“We remained focused and secured a well-earned win.
“I’m happy that we are building momentum in every game.
“My players deserve praise as they’ve improved over the last three weeks.
“That’s what we need going forward.
“It’s now a challenge for us to maintain consistency for the remainder of the season.”
The Vipers have recorded four wins, one draw and a loss after six rounds of the season, which has been shortened due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vipers fullback Stargroth Amean was taken off the field in the 60th minute with a suspected knee injury.
Meanwhile, Tumbe coach Joe McConnor blamed his ninth-placed side’s poor second-half defence for their fourth loss of the season.
“We got off to a good start but we just lost our way after 20 minutes,” he said.

 

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https://postcourier.com.pg/the-mac-truck-is-back/

The "Mac Truck" is back

Do you remember him ?
He was the Match winner that saw the PNG Hunters upset the Sunshine Coast Falcons (12-10) in the 2017 Intrust Super Cup Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium in Australia.

He pounced on a grubber by his Captain Ase Boas to claim the winning try and lift the Hunters maiden ISC Premiership Trophy since joining the competition.

He is Willie Mac Truck Minoga, and he is slowly making his way back into Rugby League with his old Club the Enga Mioks. Willie made his return last week in the Mioks win over the Gulf Isou. He will play his second game this week.

 

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Full Round 7 Results

1. Rabaul Gurias 48 def Mendi Muruks 2
2. Lae Tigers 38 def Enga Mioks 0
3. Kimbe Cutters 18 draw Mt Hagen Eagles 18
4. Goroka Lahanis 28 def Gulf Isou 16
5. Hela Wigmen 14 def Waghi Tumbe 6
6. Port Moresby Vipers 17 def Central Dabaris 10

Highlights for the 3 games in Port Moresby are up on Youtube if someone can uplaod on here.

 

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2 more venues opened up for this weekends round.
That now takes it to 5 locations.

Originally it was only Port Moresby and Lae hosting games.
Last week Kokopo hosted its first game and this week 2 Provinces in the Highlands have been given the nod.

https://www.thenational.com.pg/goroka-minj-get-approval/

Goroka, Minj get approval

MINJ in Jiwaka and Goroka in Eastern Highlands will host this weekend’s Digicel Cup round-eight matches, says Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition manager Stanley Hondina.

And if both venues comply with the PNG Rugby Football League’s Banis Protocols, Kimbe in West New Britain will get the chance see their Cutters at home before the regular season ends.

Hondina said in a statement yesterday that the challenge was now on Minj and Goroka to deliver good quality rugby league games without compromising the protocols.
On Saturday, Waghi Tumbe host the Mt Hagen Eagles at John Ambane Oval and reigning premiers Lae Snax Tigers travel to Goroka to play the Lahanis at the National Sports Institute. Both games kick off at 2pm.

Ticket prices, points of sales and number of spectators will be made known in the next few days.
“I will be in Minj and Goroka to ensure that all protocols and games are managed well,” Hondina said.
“After assessing these venues, we will determine whether they are able to host one or two more games and consider giving Kimbe an opportunity in the remaining three rounds of our shortened season.” He congratulated the Rabaul Gurias management and Kalabond Oval staff in Kokopo for successfully hosting the first game outside Port Moresby and Lae last weekend.
“You and the people of East New Britain have done well and set the benchmark for other franchises and provinces to follow,” Hondina said.
He reminded all stakeholders, including franchise managements, officials and players, to continue to comply with the protocols.
“We are getting through trying and difficult circumstances, and you all should hold your heads up and be proud of what we have achieved so far,” Hondina said.
He said the kick-off times for the double-headers in Port Moresby and Lae would be 1pm and 3.15pm.
Hondina said they were yet to receive advice from the National Pandemic Controller’s Office and PNG Sports Foundation on whether to allow fans to attend matches.
“Until we hear receive notification, the no-spectators’ situation remains,” he said.

Fixtures: Sat, Aug 29 — Waghi Tumbe v Mt Hagen Eagles; Sun, Aug 30 —Goroka Lahanis v Lae Tigers, Mendi Muruks v Gulf Isou, Enga Mioks v Kimbe Cutters, Hela Wigmen v Central Dabaris, Port Moresby Vipers v Rabaul Gurias

 

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https://postcourier.com.pg/boas-brothers-face-off-for-the-first-time/

Will be an interesting game this weekend in Port Moresby when the Vipers take on the Gurias.

For starters both Teams have the majority of Hunters and other Current Kumuls players.

The Vipers have Hunters players in Ase Boas, Enock Maki, Brendon Gotuno, Shane Haro and Kevin Appo. They also have Thompson Teteh and Stargoth Amean back from England.

While the Guaris have Hunters players in Terry Wapi, Epel Kapinias, Stanley Olo, Ila Alu, Francis Takai and Roy Elison. They also have Watson Boas and Wartovo Puara junior back from England who have strengthened them.

Another interesting side plot to the game is the fact that for the first time Ase Boas from the Vipers will be playing against his former Team. A Team he captained to Premiership Glory back in 2012 before heading to the Hunters a few years later.

It will be the first time he plays against his younger brother Watson. The brothers have never played against each other and it will be interesting to see he comes out on top.

 

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Round 8 Results

1. Waghi Tumbe 16 def Mt Hagen Eagles 10
2. Lae Tigers 40 def Goroka Lahanis 12
3. Enga Mioks 18 def Kimbe Cutters 10
4. Mendi Muruks 40 def Gulf Isou 4
5. Hela Wigmen 24 def Central Dabaris 14
6. Rabaul Gurias 14 def Pom Vipers 10

Highlights of the Port Moresby Double header are up on Youtube

 

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The Tigers on top of the ladder, that just does not look natural.

 

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The final round of the 2020 Digicel Cup was played on the weekend.

The final round results is as follow;

1. Mt Hagen Eagles 30 Central Dabaris 18
2. Mendi Muruks 22 Kimbe Cutters 10
3. Enga Mioks 14 Goroka Lahanis 12
4. Hela Wigmen 28 Gulf Isou 20
5. Rabaul Gurias 18 Waghi Tube 14
6. Port Moresby Vipers 7 Lae Tigers 0

 

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The Final Points Ladder

1. Rabaul Gurias 19
2. Lae Tigers 18
3. Hela Wigmen 18
4. Port Moresby Vipers 17
5. Mendi Muruks 16
6. Enga Mioks 9
7. Waghi Tumbe 8
8. Kimbe Cutters 8
9. Mt Hagen Eagles 7
10.Central Dabaris 5
11.Goroka Lahanis 5
12.Gulf Isou 2

Congratulations to the Rabaul Gurias for winning the Minor Premiership.

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/gurias-snatch-minor-honours/

Gurias snatch minor honours

THE Rabaul Gurias snatched the Digicel Cup minor premiership after hosts Port Moresby Vipers handed former ladder leaders Lae Tigers their second-straight defeat of the season yesterday.
In Lae, the Enga Mioks beat the Goroka Lahanis to sneak into the top-six playoffs at the expense of Waghi Tumbe, who lost 14-20 to the Gurias in the final round of the regular season at Sir John Guise Stadium.
The Vipers put on one of their best defensive efforts of the year to win 7-0 as they finished the regular season in fourth spot while the Hela Wigmen secured third place with a 28-20 victory against Gulf Isou.

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/moresby-to-host-playoffs/

Port Moresby to host playoffs

PORT Moresby’s Sir John Guise Stadium will host all six Digicel Cup playoff matches, including the Oct 18 grand final, the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition has confirmed.
Competition manager Stanley Hondina told The National yesterday that Sunday’s sudden-death matches would see last year’s runners-up Hela Wigmen face the Enga Mioks and the Port Moresby Vipers meet the Mendi Muruks.
He said the competition’s Covid-19 measures would still apply with 4,500 spectators only allowed into the stadium.
“All six games of the finals will be played in Port Moresby,” Hondina said after the national pandemic controller approved the return of Port Moresby crowds to Digicel Cup matches from last Sunday.
“This week, we will still maintain the quota as approved by the controller.
“But we will try to seek his approval to increase it from next week.
“The ticket prices are still the same for this week.”
Meanwhile, the Rabaul Gurias have dedicated their Digicel Cup minor premiership to the late John Nightingale who passed away earlier this year.
PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka commended the Gurias for honouring the founder of the club.
“It is a memorable year for the club,” Tsaka said after the Gurias’ 20-14 win over Waghi Tumbe on Sunday.
“To honour Nightingale with such a performance, I know it means a lot to the team.
“They have dedicated the season to him and what a wonderful way to honour his contributions to the sport.
“It’s also the first time in eight years that they have claimed the minor premiership.
“The last time they did was in 2012 (when they also went on to claim the premiership with a win over the Mendi Muruks in the grand final).”
Gurias co-captain Wartovo Puara Jr thanked their fans, coaching staff and sponsors for their support.
The 2015 premiers will now have a week off before they face reigning champions Lae Tigers in the major semifinal next week.
The Tigers, who finished second, will also have a week off.
Fixtures: Sun, Sept 27 — Hela Wigmen v Enga Mioks, Port Moresby Vipers v Mendi Muruks.

 

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Elimination Finals played yesterday.

Game 1: Hela Wigmen 14 def Enga Mioks 12
Game 2; Port Moresby Vipers 12 def Mendi Muruks 10

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/vipers-wigmen-advance/

Vipers, Wigmen advance

THE Vipers and last year’s runners-up Hela Wigmen will meet in Sunday’s Digicel Cup minor semifinals after wins over the Mendi Muruks and Enga Mioks respectively in Port Moresby yesterday.
The Vipers and Wigmen beat their opponents 12-10 and 14-12 respectively in front of a sizeable crowd in the elimination finals at Sir John Guise Stadium.
The main game of the round saw the Vipers and Muruks complete just over 20 per cent of their sets after the break with injury stoppages contributing to a scoreless, uneventful second half.
The hosts opened the scoring 10 minutes in when halfback Karis Peter sliced through the Muruks defence to score a try beside the uprights.
His halves partner Ase Boas made sure of the conversion to give the Vipers a 6-0 lead.
But the Muruks re-grouped and scored an unconverted try in the 18th minute through winger Leon Undipia after repeat sets in Vipers’ red zone.
It got better for the visitors as they hit the lead five minutes later after hooker Wesa Tenza put McKenzie Yei into space before the Central Queensland Capras forward set up former Rabaul Gurias five-eighth Wesley Batari for his first Muruks try.
But two minutes before halftime, the Vipers capitalised on an error by the Muruks to send Rex Tandowa over for a converted try on the left edge as the hosts held on to keep their title hopes alive.
The Muruks were almost out of substitutes in the second half after Sylvester Bulu, Milex Winis, Jack Manda and Joe Honk came off injured.
Results: Sun, Sept 27 — Hela Wigmen 14 Enga Mioks 12, Port Moresby Vipers 12 Mendi Muruks 10.