PNG RUGBY FOOTBAL LEAGUE NEWS 2020

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Thought I should start a thread for all other Rugby League news out of PNG that is not related to the Digicel Cup or the PNG Hunters.

To start off PNG lost one of its former Kumul Captains this week.
Not sure many will remember but Bal Numapo was the Kumuls Captain from the late 80's into the early 90's.


https://www.thenational.com.pg/kumul-legend-passes-on/


Kumul legend passes on

FORMER Papua New Guinea Kumuls captain Bal Numapo passed away in Kundiawa, Chimbu, on the weekend.
It is understood that the 57-year-old succumbed to a stroke at around 11.30am on Saturday.
He collapsed and was rushed to Sir Joseph Nombri Kundiawa General Hospital but was pronounced dead.
On Saturday, Simbu administrator Michael Bal Temai led a team of public servants, relatives and friends to Goroka and brought the casket of the former centre to the Glenrowan Funeral Home.
Numapo had a colourful rugby league career from the 1980s to the early 1990s.
He was one of the first Papua New Guinean to join a National Rugby League club, the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Numapo captained the Simbu Warriors, Highlands zone team and Kumuls.
In May 1990, he led the Kumuls to a 20-18 win over the visiting Great Britain Lions at Sir Danny Leahy Oval in Goroka.
Former Lions captain Garry Schofield said then that PNG had produced one of the biggest upsets in rugby league.
Thanks to field goals from Numapo and Stanley Haro, history was made in the rugby league world.
On many occasions, Numapo rubbed shoulders with iconic rugby league figures like Mal Maninga, Wally Lewis and Allan Langer.
Born on Jan 1, 1963, at his Oknell village, Numapo hails from the Kimba Kapma tribes of Dumun in the Tabare local-level government area of Sinasina-Yongomugl.
Aside from rugby league, he started his professional career as a district agriculture officer and worked his way up to be the district administrator of Sinasina-Yongomugl.
Numapo served under former Sinasina-Yongomugl MP Jeffery Nape and current office holder Kerenga Kua.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public administration at Divine Word University on March 15.

 

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https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2020/08/05/vale-bal-numapo/

Vale Bal Numapo
Author
bulldogs.com.au

Wed 5 Aug 2020, 11:23 AM
The Bulldogs would like to offer their sincere condolences after the passing of Papua New Guinean International Bal Numapo.

Numapo aged 57 from Ogel village in the Sinesine Yongumul District in Simbu Province died following a severe stroke at 10.00am last Saturday August 1, 2020 in Kundiawa.

PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka said Bal Numapo debuted as PNG Kumul No. 85 against Great Britain on August 5, 1984 against Great Britain in Mt Hagen as a centre. He went on to represent PNG on 14 more occasions scoring four tries, kicking 18 goals and a field goal.

“Players like (late) Bob Tollick, Gesau Gebob, Robert Jakis, Robert Kubak and Pora Wek also debuted alongside Numapo in this game,” Tsaka said. “Higher representative honours came when he and Dairi Kovae were selected in the Rest of the World team that played Australia in 1988,” Tsaka said. “Rest of the World team comprised of the best players from Test league nations England, New Zealand and France.”

The following year Numapo secured a one year contract with NRL club Canterbury Bulldogs and played one First grade and two Lower Grade games: “He was an icon in the rugby league world during the 1980s and 90s, a perfect role model balancing education and rugby league and a dedicated public servant following his retirement from the greatest game of all,” Tsaka said.

 

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RIP Bal

I recall Bal Numapo very well, he was the top PNG player of his time, infact I recall Sports Sunday in Australia going over to PNG to do a story on him for their sports program.

He led PNG on their tour of England and France in 1987.

He played for the Rest of the World v Great Britain at Headingley in 1988.

Setting up Michael O'Connor for the last try (1hr 35min 20sec)

Ignore the title on the clip it should be Gt Britain not Australia

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/marum-runs-coaching-clinics-in-shp/

Marum runs coaching clinics in SHP

PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) high performance manager and national head coach Michael Marum conducted coaching clinics with leagues and schools in Mendi, Southern Highlands, yesterday.
Accompanied by PNG LNG Kumuls and National Rugby League-certified trainer Solomon Kuluniasi, Marum kicked off the programme — which ends in Lae next week — in Enga on Monday.
“This is an opportune time to carry out basic coaching and training methods with leagues and schools while there are no competitions due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” the former SP Hunters coach said.
“We will also be helping Digicel Cup franchises with gym and field training, and video review sessions.”

Today, they travel to Ialibu and then Pangia later in the afternoon.

On Sunday, both men will drive to Goroka where they will meet with PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka and present the late Bal Numapo’s Kumul No.85 jersey to his family.

On Monday, Marum will hold a video-review session with the Goroka Lahanis.
The following day, they will join the Lahanis’ gym and field training sessions, and meet league officials and Goroka-based Oil Search PNG Orchids players.

On Wednesday, the pair will drive to Lae where they will spend two days with the Tigers, Mendi Muruks, league officials and schools before returning to Port Moresby on Aug 22.
Marum expressed gratitude to sponsors Digicel, ExxonMobil PNG, SP Brewery, Boroko Motors, Coca-Cola and Prima Small Goods for the merchandise and logistical support.

He also thanked Digicel Cup franchises and their staff, and volunteers for helping to deliver the programme.
“We really appreciate and value your continued support in the development and growth of rugby league in PNG,” Marum said.
Daily updates of the visits can be followed on PNGRFL’s Facebook page and the national governing body’s other platforms

 

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Instead of starting a new thread I'll just post this in here.

Congrats to Elsie Albert who will become the first female PNG player Rugby League player, produced in the Local PNG Women's Comp to sign up for a NRLW Club.

Hopefully the first of many. This will really be a big boost for the Women's game in PNG.

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/24/png-captain-albert-follows-role-model-hancock-to-dragons/


PNG captain Albert follows role model Hancock to Dragons

Watching Steph Hancock lead the Jillaroos to glory at the 2017 World Cup helped inspire PNG Orchids captain Elsie Albert to play rugby league and now the pair are set to embark on a 1,000km road trip together to join St George Illawarra for the upcoming NRLW season.

Albert, Hancock and Jillaroos team-mate Isabelle Kelly, tri-international Mahalia Murphy and fellow Wallaroos and rugby sevens representative Georgia Page are among the new faces in the Dragons squad, while inaugural captain Sam Bremner returns after taking last year off to give birth to her son, Reef.

Albert is the first player from the PNG domestic competitiom to be signed by an NRLW club and she moved to Brisbane this year with the aim of earning a contract after last season captaining the Orchids to an historic Test defeat of England in Port Moresby.

After joining Souths Logan Magpies due to the presence of Australian-based Orchids stars Amelia Kuk, Therese Aiton and Shae De La Cruz, Albert got the opportunity to play alongside Hancock and she turned down other NRLW approaches to continue their front-row partnership in Wollongong.

“I did have a few decisions to make but I chose the Dragons because Steph also wanted to go there,” Albert told NRL.com.

 

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This is from the weekly column written by the PNGRFL Chairman Mr Sandis Tsaka
Also gives a few insights into next year.


https://www.thenational.com.pg/alberts-signing-shows-progress/

Albert’s signing shows progress
September 25, 2020The NationalSports


Greetings to our rugby league family and welcome to our 24th edition of Fulltime Reserve, a weekly column to discuss all matters rugby league in our favourite newspaper The National.
The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) had some major developments and announcements this week, which set the foundation for our planning towards next season.
The conclusion of the Digicel Cup season and the commencement of the finals this week heralds the end of rugby league season which has been delivered successfully despite the tremendous challenges posed by the covid-19 pandemic.
The announcement of the signing of the two participation agreements for the PNG LNG Kumuls and the Oil Search PNG Orchids for next year’s Rugby League World Cup launches the planning for next season.
The biggest rugby league news for PNG this year is the announcement this week of the signing of the PNG Orchids captain Elsie Albert by the St George Dragons for the National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) season.
Albert is the first women rugby league player from PNGRFL’s domestic elite pathway programme to earn a NRLW contract.
It is a landmark occasion for women’s rugby league and women’s sports in PNG.
These major announcements set the foundation for our 2021 season plans, as we start to finalise and implement some of our major programmes that PNGRFL has been working on in the last six months during the pandemic to plan for a successful 2021 rugby league season.
Over the next few weeks, PNGRFL will make announcements on the following programmes:

• The Kumuls and Orchids programme build-up to the World Cup in England, including the establishment of their respective management structures and officials;
• The new SP Hunters restructure and establishment of the new board and management, and plans for the 2021 Intrust Super Cup season;
• The 2021 Digicel Cup plans and programmes;
• The announcement of end-of-year elite programmes for 2020;
• Finalisation of PNGRFL’s governance restructure for the game with the establishment of the confederate boards, provincial boards and affiliate leagues following the launching of the New Ireland model later this month; and,
• The announcement of the 2021 domestic and international calendars for rugby league.
  PNGRFL has been working in partnership with all of our committed local and international partners during this period to develop and finalise the above programmes and we look forward to announcing them over the next few weeks.

Join us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to follow this and more rugby league stories.
We can also be contacted viafulltimereserve@pngrfl.org.pg to provide feedback on issues covered in this column weekly or ask questions on matters that you would like us to discuss.
Until next week, may the grace, love and care of our Good Lord be with you.

Cheers,
Sandis

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/pngrfl-to-launch-pilot-governance-model/

PNGRFL to launch pilot governance model
October 20, 2020The NationalSports

THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) will on Saturday launch a pilot model which will see the establishment of a provincial rugby league board, says an official.
“Last year, we undertook a review of the governance and management of the sport across its programmes with a view to improve them,” PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said.
“The recommendations of the review were presented at the seventh annual general meeting (AGM) in the form of several amendments to the PNGRFL constitution which were ratified.
“The new board of the PNGRFL made a commitment to work towards implementing these reforms across the game.”
He said one of the reforms was to strengthen and improve the governance and management of the game at the confederate, provincial and league level.
Tsaka said the establishment of a provincial rugby league board would help decentralise the governance of the sport down to the regional and provincial levels so that the local administrators would take charge of the management of rugby league programmes in their areas.
“PNGRFL, as the mother body, is responsible for providing overall strategic vision, guidance and oversight and manages the key national and international programmes,” he said.
“All other domestic programmes are to be managed by the confederates and their provincial boards.”
Tsaka said the launch of the New Ireland model would be done in Kavieng.
“Work on this has been done over the last two months,” he said.
“We have made two visits to Kavieng already.
“PNGRFL approved for this at its last meeting on Oct 11.
“Those finalised and approved are schools and affiliate leagues, and provincial and confederate boards.
“All these will be launched in the pilot model.”

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/ipape-to-decide-on-offers/

Ipape to decide on offers
October 20, 2020The NationalSports

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea international and Lae Tigers Edwin Ipape says he is weighing up whether to remain in the Digicel Cup or head overseas to continue his rugby league career.
The utility and his Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored side finished the Digicel Cup season as runners-up after losing 14-16 to the Hela Wigmen in the grand final in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The 21-year-old told The National that he had received offers to play overseas but was in no rush to make a decision on his playing future.
“Opportunities are popping up but I’ll wait and make a decision on what is best for me,” said Ipape, who has so far played three tests and two invitational matches.
“I am satisfied that I completed the Digicel Cup season this year.
“I will assess those offers in the coming months and decide what direction to take.”
Ipape was signed by the Manly Sea Eagles on a train-and-trial contract earlier this year and was part of the side that competed in the National Rugby League Nines.
He was then contracted to Sea Eagles’ Canterbury Cup (New South Wales Cup) side but was later released when the second-tier competition was cancelled amid the Covid-19 situation in Australia.
Meanwhile, Ipape — who featured at last year’s Rugby League Nines World Cup in Australia — said he was proud of his teammates despite the Tigers failing to retain the Digicel Cup title.
“We played well all season,” he said.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t the result we wanted in the grand final but congratulations to the Wigmen.”
The Tigers made a dream start to the season, winning nine matches in a row before succumbing to two-straight losses to round out the regular season.

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/marum-conducts-training-in-komo/

Marum conducts training in Komo
October 21, 2020The NationalSports


KUMULS coach and Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) high performance manager Michael Marum conducted a two-day coaching and training clinic in Komo, Hela, recently.
Komo Rugby Football League men’s and women’s teams attended the clinic, which was made possible by ExxonMobil PNG, between Sept 29 and Oct 1.
ExxonMobil, operator of the PNG liquefied natural gas project, has been a sponsor of the Kumuls since 2013.
Part of Marum’s team were trainer Solomon Kuluniasi and SP Hunters forward Enoch Maki.
The former Hunters coach said poor weather did not stop the teams from attending the clinic at the recently-refurbished Komo Sports Field.
“The teams attended the clinic with passion,” Marum said.
“The wet and muddy conditions didn’t dampen the players’ enthusiasm. The women who attended the coaching clinic were great ambassadors of gender equality, which was a welcoming sight.
“We were impressed by how the participants carried themselves.
“We want to return and see how they are progressing and improving.”
Komo league vice-president John Karipe commended ExxonMobil for facilitating PNGRFL’s visit.
“The coaching and training has provided our players with invaluable lessons,” he said.
“So we are grateful to Marum, Kuluniasi and Maki.”
The vice-president said they hoped Marum and his team could return soon to work with their players and referees.”
The clinic is part of a PNGRFL programme aimed at ensuring that top-level coaching and training reaches the grassroots level to help improve rugby league skills across the nation.

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/more-leagues-to-register/

More leagues to register
October 28, 2020The NationalSports


By PARKER TAMBUA
HIGHLANDS confederate director Joe Tokam says he is expecting more leagues in the region to gain Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) affiliation next year.
He told The National last week that the confederate’s operations had been affected this year due to financial constraints caused by the Covid-19 restrictions on sports.
However, Tokam said the future looked bright for rugby league in Highlands. “The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on all sports across the country,” he said.
“Our confederate operations rely on the money collected from the payment of affiliation fees and others.
“But the Covid-19 restrictions on movement and public gatherings had affected our operations.”
Tokam said Goroka, Kundiawa, Banz, Mt Hagen, Wabag, Mendi and Tari were the major leagues affiliated under PNGRFL.
He said the minor leagues were Kerowagi, Minj, Giluwe, Ialibu, Pangia, Samberigi Polopa, Porgera and Komo.
Tokam said the associate leagues were Nondugl, Tapi, Mt Kunumb, Kimil, Laiagam and Tsak Unity.
“The new leagues that have shown interest to affiliate next year are Anglimp, Kandep, Best, South Wiru in Pangia, Magarima and two others which I won’t name as yet,” he said. Tokam said there were some competitions organised by individuals in the region which were not sanctioned by PNGRFL.
“The leagues that are now running their offseason competitions are Goroka,
Kundiawa (Governor’s Cup), Kerowagi (Coffee Cup), Mendi, Tari and Wabag,” he said.
“In general, Highlands has been quiet this season with not much rugby league activities.
“I expect that next year will be bigger and better with more excitement across the region.”

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/pngrfl-boss-rau-resigns/

PNGRFL boss Rau resigns
October 28, 2020The NationalSports

PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) chief executive Reatau Rau has tendered his resignation to the board of the sport’s national governing body.
He said in a statement that he had advised the board of his intention to step down at their September meeting in Port Moresby.
“I had a chat with chairman Sandis Tsaka last Friday that it was mutually agreed for the good of the game, time to move on,” Rau said.
He said the decision to resign was not an easy one.
“Like everybody else in the country and around the world, PNGRFL is going through a difficult time as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic we’re all experiencing this year,” Rau said.
“I would like to take this moment to thank all our sponsors and partners over the last four years without whom all the great achievements would not have been possible.
“I’d like to thank the prime minister, the sports vice-minister, Government and the PNG Sports Foundation.
“Thanks to our sponsors PNG LNG ExxonMobil (for the Kumuls), Oil Search (Orchids), SP Brewery Ltd (SP Hunters), Digicel PNG (Digicel Cup) and Coca-Cola Company (National Schools Rugby League).
“Other key sponsors include the National Gaming Control Board, WR Carpenter (PNG) Ltd, including Boroko Motors, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd, Trukai, Coca-Cola Amatil, Prima Small Goods, Air Niugini, 9-Mile Farm, Pacific Palms Property and MTSL.”
Rau also acknowledged other partners in PHA Insurance, Airways Hotel, Australia High Commission/DFAT and the British High Commission, Queensland Rugby League, National Rugby League/Australian Rugby League, Asia-Pacific Rugby League Confederation and International Rugby League.
“I also wish to thank all my staff, programme managers, coaching staff, PNG National Rugby League Competition and the 12 Digicel Cup franchises, for their invaluable support over the last four years,” he said.
“To Tsaka, a man of vision and mission to resurrect this sport, the sleeping giant called rugby league.
“From day one, I wanted to understand what his desire and plans were and we both stood together with the PNGRFL board, staff and partners to develop rugby league not only as a sport but more importantly transformed it into a powerful and influential platform to deliver social and development messages to the population of PNG.”
Rau said resigning was in the best interest for him and the game.
Tsaka acknowledged that it was a challenging time for the organisation.
“I want to particularly commend him for his stewardship of the organisation and the sacrifices he and all the staff have had to make during the pandemic,” he said.
He said Rau was appointed in January 2017 following the termination of his predecessor Bob Cutmore in October 2016.
Rau’s three-year term expired in January, however, he was appointed to continue whilst the PNGRFL restructure was in progress and also due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
“We understand the difficult times everyone has been going through and I appreciate and respect his decision,” Tsaka said.
“On behalf of our wider rugby league family in PNG and abroad, I thank him for his enormous contributions to the game.”

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/women-participate-in-clinic/

Women participate in clinic
November 9, 2020The NationalSports


PNG Orchid Heather Ario (in black shirt) with fellow participants.

PNG Rugby Football League high performance manager Michael Marum issuing pointers in the presence of senior referee Aaron Henry. – PNGRFLpics

TWELVE women were among 43 participants who attended a Hiri West Rugby League coaching clinic which was conducted by Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League high performance manager Michael Marum.
Held at Papa village, the three-day clinic — which began on Wednesday — covered warm-up and stretching, agility, strength and conditioning, ball drills, ruck plays, and attacking and defensive techniques.
“We want them to learn the basic skills of the game so they can improve on their natural talents,” PNG Kumuls coach Marum said.


Port Moresby Viper Frank Rarua (left) and SP Hunters trainer Moses Guise taking part in the clinic at Papa village in Hiri West, Central, last week.
He said the participation of women was encouraging.
“I am happy to see their interest in taking part in the different methods of training and drills alongside their male counterparts,” Marum said.
Oil Search PNG Orchid Heather Ario, from Papa, was one of the participants.
“You have made history already with Heather in the women’s national team,” Marum told the participants.
Marum said Orchids captain and St George Illawarra Dragon Elsie Albert took part in the last two days of the clinic.


SP Hunters trainer Solomon Kuluniasi performing a demonstration on Moni Plus Port Moresby Viper Iru Dikana.
“Her presence lifted their spirits, especially the women,” he said.
Marum told the participants that apart from developing their skills, “you can also be involved as a referee”.
“Aaron Henry is a senior referee and he is here with us for those who see a future in refereeing,” he said.
“This is another area of our game that we would like to develop.”
Marum was assisted by SP Hunters trainers Solomon Kuluniasi and Moses Guise, and Moni Plus Port Moresby Vipers pair Iru Dikana and Frank Rarua.
Hiri West Rugby League president Hubert Warupi thanked ExxonMobil PNG Limited for organising the clinic.
“Thank you for your continued support, and for getting Marum and his team to conduct the clinic,” he said.
Warupi also thanked Marum for his continued support in promoting the development of young men and women throughout rural PNG.


Participants taking part in drills.
“Marum has the best rugby league mind in PNG and we are privileged to have him here,” he told the participants.
“Learn as much as possible and ask him anything you want to know.”
The participants received certificates at the end of the clinic.
Hiri West Rugby League covers Roku, Porebada, Boera, Papa and Lealea.

 

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Eastern Suburbs win inaugural Gahuku Nines
https://www.asiapacificrl.com/2020/11/10/eastern-suburbs-win-inaugural-gahuku-nines/

Eastern Suburbs has won the inaugural Gahuku Rugby League Nines that was held at the Goroka National Park, defeating the Matus Stars 12 – 8 in the tournament Final.

The inaugural Nines event, featured twelve teams from around the region, playing across three days in front of large crowds in Papua New Guinea’s Eastern Highlands.


Dona Minas to face Sirinumu Pukpuks in Koiari Grand Final
https://www.asiapacificrl.com/2020/11/12/donas-minas-to-face-sirinumu-pukpuks-in-koiari-grand-final/

The town of Sogeri in the Kairuku-Hiri District of Papua New Guinea will host this Sunday’s Koiari Rugby League’s Open Age and Under 20s Grand Final.

The 2020 Koiari Rugby League competitions featured ten teams in each division, with the regular season being reduced to just nine rounds as a result of COVID.

The Donas Minas will feature in both the Under 20s and Open Age Grand Finals, with the Under 20’s Minor Premiers facing the Rux Tigers, whilst in the Open Age Final, the Minas will take on Sirinumu Pukpuks.


Record 56 teams to take part in the 2020 Gerehu Off-Season competition
https://www.asiapacificrl.com/2020/...rt-in-the-2020-gerehu-off-season-competition/

Fifty-six teams from across the northern segment of Port Moresby are set to take part in the 2020 Gerehu Rugby League Off-Season competition.

The league, which runs independently to the Port Moresby Rugby League competition, is one of the largest in the National Capital District, with the regular season featuring 96 clubs across A and B Grade.

For the Off-Season competition, teams have been broken into four pools of fourteen teams, with each side to play each other once before the competition Finals Series.

The Finals Series will see the top four teams from each pool join a sixteen Finals Series which is set to take place in early 2021.

The 56 teams taking part in the 2020/21 Off-Season competition is up from the 42 teams that took part in 2019/20.

 

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https://www.asiapacificrl.com/2020/12/03/port-moresby-finals-kicks-off-this-weekend/

The Kone Tigers have secured the Port Moresby Rugby League Men’s A-Grade Minor Premiership after defeating Moresby South 14 – 6 last weekend at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.

The Tigers finished the regular season undefeated to secure top spot heading into this weekend’s finals. In the other matches played in the final round, Moresby West upset the Hohola Flies 12 – 10 to finish their year on a high, whilst the Kone Storm drew 12-all with the Paga Panthers to secure their spot in the eight and force the Panthers down to fourth.

The Panthers will now face the Tigers in the opening round of the Men’s Finals.

Meanwhile in the Women’s Premiership, the Paga Panthers finished with the Minor Premiership after defeating the Hohola Flies 50 – 4 in the Final round. The Sisters club finished second after defeating Tarangau 6 – 4, and will enjoy the first week of Finals off with the Panthers.

Finals kick off this Saturday with the Under 20’s Minor Premiers, the Kone Storm, facing Moresby South at the National Football Stadium. Both the Under 20’s and Men’s Premierships have top eight Finals Series, whilst the Women’s Premiership is a top six.

FIXTURES:
Under 20’s:
Saturday:
10:00 : Kone Storm (1) v Moresby South (4)
11:10 : Moresby West (6) v Kone Tigers (7)

Sunday:
10:00 : Royals (2) v Tarangau (3)
11:10 : Butterflies (5) v Hohola Flies (8)

Women’s:
Saturday:
12:20 : Kone Tigers (4) v Moresby South (5)

Sunday:
12:20 : Tarangau (3) v Royals (6)

Men’s:
Saturday:
13:30 : Brothers (2) v Tarangau (3)
15:10 : Moresby South (7) v Kone Storm (8)

Sunday:
13:30 : Kone Tigers (1) v Paga Panthers (4)
15:10 : Butterflies (5) v Hohola Flies (8)

 

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https://www.asiapacificrl.com/2020/...ghlands-competition-to-kick-off-this-weekend/

TNA CUP KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND
Eleven participants are set to take part in the 2020/21 TNA Cup which was launched earlier this week at the Dickson’s Field in Kundiawa.

The competition, which is based around the Chimbu (Simbu) Province in the Papua New Guinea Highlands, will run for 10 weeks before the Finals, and will be used to help identify players for the Simbu Warriors Digicel Cup franchise, if they are successful in being admitted for the 2021 Digicel Cup season.

Matches will kick off this weekend in Kundiawa.

The TNA Cup was established in 2004 to provide an opportunity for players from remote centres in the Chimbu province to be identified and progress their Rugby League careers.

2020/21 TEAMS:
SSY Brothers
Gumine Pythons
Kundiawa Souths
Chayil Panthers
Kupsy Rabbitohs
NGR Mosquitos
SNK Stars
Bee Gee Crushers
Digini Rangers
Back Street Cyborgs
Santai Brothers

ROUND ONE DRAW:
Saturday:
10:00 : Back Street Cyborgs v Gumine Pythons
12:00 : Santai Brothers v Bee Gee Crushers
14:00 : NGR Mosquitos v Kupsy Rabbitohs

Sunday:
11:30 : Digini Rangers v SSY Brothers
13:30 : Kundiawa Souths v Chayil Panthers

 

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https://www.thenational.com.pg/sepik-rugby-league-nines-tournament-attracts-20-teams/

Sepik rugby league nines tournament attracts 20 teams
December 3, 2020The NationalSports
Article Views : 0

TWENTY teams are set to compete in the Sepik Agmark Nines rugby league tournament which will kick off in Wewak tomorrow, according to Sepik Pride project manager Bradley Simon.
As of yesterday afternoon, 14 teams arrived in Wewak, including six East Sepik sides.
“There will be five teams in each pool,” he said.
Simon said the Pora Oval, which has undergone a facelift, would be opened today.
“At the end of the tournament, the Pride will also present their Digicel Cup bid,” he said.
Simon said Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League acting chief executive Stanley Hondina and PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) chairman Adrian Chow would attend the tournament.
“To have Hondina and Chow attend the tournament is massive for us,” he said.
“There have been a number of tournaments in Sepik over the years but this one is different.
“This is probably the biggest.
“To host Hondina, Chow and teams from all over the country is great for the game here.
“It will be great exposure for our talents and us as the host.
“For a province that is not known for rugby league, this is a positive step which will contribute to the sport’s development.”
Simon said Hondina and Chow would also inspect the oval and its facilities.
“I believe our facilities meet the PNGNRLC requirements to host Digicel Cup matches,” he said.
Meanwhile, Simon said PNG Kumuls playmaker Watson Boas visited Wewak last month and gave inspirational speeches to the youths there.
“It was great to receive advice from a representative player who has a lot of experience on the world stage,” he said.
“A lot of youths think that rugby league is an activity in which you take part just to pass time before returning to your bad habits.
“But with Watson telling his story, it changed their whole perceptive on rugby league and life in general.”

Pool A — QRP Colts, Acatech Storm, (National Capital District), 15 City Roosters (West New Britain), Wewak Ularembe (East Sepik), Oro Freedom Fighters (Northern);

Pool B — Morobe Pride, 13A Prima Bulldogs (Morobe), Funeral Home Laumas (NCD), Maprik Schoolboys, Mijoe Wewak One (East Sepik);

Pool C — Wewak Steamers, Pagepark Cowboys (East New Britain), Kamus Panthers (NCD), Mijoe Wewak Two, Sandaun Kwilas (West Sepik);

Pool D — STK Bullets (WNB), Kroton Ira Lai (Hela), Yawasoro W16, Kwarumbe Api, Sepik Tenkiles (East Sepik).