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Melanesian Cup 2020

mikail-eagle

Bench
Messages
2,751
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/ravoravo-rabbitohs-calls-for-support/

I had no idea this game was on this month until I stumbled upon this article from Fiji.

Ravoravo Rabbitohs calls for support.

The Ravoravo Rabbitohs rugby league side is banking on home support when they clash with Papua New Guniea’s Lae Snax Tigers next month in the Melanesian Cup.
Head Coach Sivaniolo Varo says having home ground advantage will surely motivate the team.
Varo adds the team has been preparing for the past five weeks.

The 30 member squad consists mainly of local players with a few from the Kaiviti Silktails squad including former Lae Snax Tigers prop Tikiko Noke and Captain Waisea Nasekai.

PNG clubs have been winning the Melanesian Cup since the tournament started in 2015.

The Rabbitohs are aiming to be the first local team to win and secure the trophy on home soil.

The Rabbitohs will face Lae Snax Tigers on the 29th of next month at Churchill Park in Lautoka.



 

mikail-eagle

Bench
Messages
2,751
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/ravoravo-rabbitohs-ready-to-meet-lae-snax-tigers/

Ravoravo Rabbitohs ready to meet Lae Snax Tigers

The Ravoravo Rabbitohs are putting in their final touch of preparation as they get ready for their clash against Lae Snax Tigers in two weeks’ time.

Head Coach Sivaniolo Varo says the players are driven and motivated.
He adds the players challenge each other during trainings which is a good build up for the team.

Their aim remains clear and that is to be the first local team to win the Melanesian Cup and keep it secured on home soil.

Varo says the Melanesia Cup is a good platform for local players to showcase their raw talents.
The side has been training for a month and are positive of a good outing on February 29th.
Representing the nation, the side is calling on the support of the home crowd.

Varo adds the side is looking for that extra motivation by fans and families to cheer them on as they battle the formidable Snax Tigers side.

The Melanesian Cup kicks off on the 29th of this month at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
 

LeagueXIII

First Grade
Messages
5,965
Great that this is continued to be played. I notice the Fijians have gone back to club teams representing them as opposed to district/zone teams.
 

LeagueXIII

First Grade
Messages
5,965
http://rlif.com/article/8852/ravoravo-rabbitohs-chase-history-in-melanesian-club-championship

imagesource.php

5th February 2020, 04:43
rlif

Ravoravo Rabbitohs chase history in Melanesian Club Championship

The Ravoravo Rabbitohs will be looking to become the first Fijian team to win the Melanesian Club Championship when they host the Lae Tigers later this month in Lautoka.

First introduced in late 2015, the Melanesian Club Championship has been dominated by the Papua New Guinea teams which has seen the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) alternate between sending their top club and district representative teams.

After two attempts by the Nadi Aviators district representative team to win the Club Challenge Cup, it will be the 2019 Vodafone Cup Challenge winners turn as they take on a Lae Tigers team keen to collect their third Melanesian title. The Lae Tigers featured in both the 2017 and 2018 tournaments after winning the 2016 and 2017 Digicel Cup competitions and will go into the match as favourites, despite the Rabbitohs boasting nine players from the Kaiviti Silktails in their squad.

The representatives from the Silktails will be Tikiko Noke, Waisea Nasekai, Timoci Namotokula, Simon Wise, Maika Serulevu and Iliame Susu, all who will be looking to not only secure victory for the Rabbitohs, but also secure their spot in the Ron Massey Cup team.

The 2020 Melanesian Club Championship will take place at Churchill Park in Lautoka on February 29th. The Ravoravo Rabbitohs qualified for the Melanesian Club Championship after defeating the Army Bears 22 – 10 in the Fiji Vodafone Club Challenge Grand Final, whilst the Lae Tigers defeated the Hela Wigmen 15 – 4 in the PNG Digicel Cup Final.

Past Results:
2018: Lae Tigers 38 defeated Nadi Aviators 22 – National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
2017: Lae Tigers 40 defeated Nadi Aviators 4 – Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka
2015: Rabaul Gurias 40 defeated Sabeto Roosters 2 – Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby
 

mikail-eagle

Bench
Messages
2,751
Yeah good that it is back on this year.
Pity that the 2018 Champions from both Country's didn't get to play in this last year.
 

mikail-eagle

Bench
Messages
2,751
http://rlif.com/article/8852/ravoravo-rabbitohs-chase-history-in-melanesian-club-championship

imagesource.php

5th February 2020, 04:43


The representatives from the Silktails will be Tikiko Noke, Waisea Nasekai, Timoci Namotokula, Simon Wise, Maika Serulevu and Iliame Susu, all who will be looking to not only secure victory for the Rabbitohs, but also secure their spot in the Ron Massey Cup team.

Highlighted player Tikiko Noke actually played for the Lae Snax Tigers in 2018 and last year 2019 when they won the Digicel Cup. So he should be able to give some good inside information about the Tigers to his countrymen.

But it will be interesting to see what sort of squad the Tigers have will have this year.
They have lost key players again to the PNG Hunters and their heroic young winger during last years finals serious died in a car accident in December.
 

mikail-eagle

Bench
Messages
2,751
https://www.thenational.com.pg/tigers-ready-for-fiji-champs/


Tigers ready for Fiji champs
February 26, 2020 The National Sports
Article Views: 156

By JACK AMI
LAE Tigers coach Stanley Tepend says the Digicel Cup champions are finalising preparations for Saturday’s Melanesian Cup clash with the Ravoravo Rabbitohs at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji (2pm kick-off, PNG time).
He told The National that despite the loss of Joe Joshua, Charlie Simon, Junior Rop and Mark Piti to the SP Hunters, the new faces in the side were stepping up at training.
“We’re doing fine with the existing players and new faces we have,” Tepend said of his Tigers, who are the Melanesian Cup holders.
“We started with block fitness and strength building in first month and now we’re transitioning to speed and a short, power-building phase.
“We will pick 19 players from our squad and focus on the Melanesia Cup throughout the week. We hop to do well and come away with a win.
“Then our focus will go back on Papua New Guinea National Rugby League (PNGNRLC) Digicel Cup as there will be still some time before kick off to polish little areas.
“We plan to have one trial match next month before the Digicel Cup kicks off in April. All in all, our progress has been going good.
“Our Tigers players in the Hunters have not been released for the Fiji trip so they won’t come with us.”
Tepend said he was excited to see rookie prop Sylvester Namo and halfback Nathan Milli suit up for the Rabbitohs clash.
“From the 2019 premiership team, we have 80 per cent of the players still here with us,” he said.
“We’re focused on the Digicel Cup and this trip is a good opportunity for us to bond and have a good hit-out before we resume preparations for our title defence.
“We are lucky to have this concept which was put in place a few years ago by the sport’s national governing bodies of both countries to reward the winners of the two competitions.
“It also gives our boys a good learning experience to visit another country, especially Fiji.
“It’s a beautiful place and the people are very friendly. Our younger players can really get a lot out of this trip apart from rugby league.
“It’s going to be a tough Digicel Cup season as every team will lift.”

PNGNRLC manager Stanley Hondina says last year’s runners-up Hela Wigmen will travel to Fiji at their own expense to face the Kaiviti Silktails at 12pm.

Tigers: 1. Sonny Wabo, 2. Enoch Sine, 3. Jokedi Bire, 4. Roderick Tai, 5. Anderson Benford, 6. Mark Tony 7. Nathan Milli, 8. Roy Kela, 9. Noel Joel, 10. Sylvester Namo, 11. Butler Morris, 12. Tiger Emeri, 13. Ishmael Balkawa, 14. Weser Tenza, 15. Joejoe Wallamas, 16. John Andy, 17. Cedric Maima, 18. Joshua Lau, 19. Nicky Aure.
 

mikail-eagle

Bench
Messages
2,751
Last year’s PNG Digicel Cup runners-up Hela Wigmen have also traveled to Fiji at their own expense to play the curtain raiser match against the new Fijian Ron Massey Cup Team Kaiviti Silktails.
 

mikail-eagle

Bench
Messages
2,751
Curtin raiser match report.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/rugby-league/kaiviti-silktails-go-down-to-pngs-hela-wigman/


Kaiviti Silktails go down to PNG's Hela Wigman

Akuila Cama Senior Multimedia Sports Journalist@AkuilaFBCNews

February 29, 2020 3:40 pm

88189402_1584598981694199_6453185287043416064_o.jpg

The Kaiviti Silktails rugby league side has been beaten by Papua New Guinea’s second best club Hela Wigman 18-12 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

The Silktails had their first taste of top level opposition before their Ron Massey Cup debut in Australia in two weeks’ time and will have a lot to work on especially their handling.

Josua Waqavesi scored a double for the Silktails while former national under 20 rugby union rep Nabetelevu Turaganivala touched down for a try.

The visitors also scored three tries and showed their experience with some set piece moves which was executed well.

Kaiviti Silktails had a few tries disallowed by the referee but their afternoon was spoiled by a few handling errors.
 

mikail-eagle

Bench
Messages
2,751
Melanesian Cup Match Report

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/rugby-league/ravoravo-rabbitohs-thrashed-32-8-by-lae-snax-tigers/


Ravoravo Rabbitohs thrashed 32-8 by Lae Snax Tigers

Filipe Naikaso Senior Multimedia Journalist West@fnaikaso


February 29, 2020 6:26 pm

88163847_1584668231687274_4266547518877204480_o.jpg

The Lae Snax Tigers have defended the Melanesian Cup thrashing the Ravoravo Rabbitohs 32-8 at Lautoka’s Churchill this afternoon.

The PNG based team proved too strong for the Rabbitohs scoring three tries in the first half.

The Rabbitohs only point in the first half was through a penalty.
In the second half, the PNG side continued their fine performance scoring in the first few minutes.

However, the host’s was finally able to break their opponent’s defence and later scored a try.

It was a much better Rabbitohs side in the second half as threatend the Tigers line, but the composed defence by the vistor’s was the key.

In the last few minutes of the match, it was the Tigers who continued dominating as they scored two more tries.

Lae Snax Tigers coach Stanley Tepend was overwhelmed with the win on Fiji soil again.

Tepens says the win was a well deserved one as the team stuck to their game plan.

Ravoravo Rabbitohs coach Sivaniolo Varo says silly mistakes hurt the side defensively especially in the first half.

However, he congratulated the boys for performing to their best.

No Fiji side has yet to lift the Melanesian Cup since its inception.
 

jim_57

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
4,295
When/If Kaiviti Silktails make it to NSW Cup it'd be good to see this become a double header with Hunters V Silktails thrown in.
 

rightleftin

Juniors
Messages
1,888
Anyone watch the game?


Hope the virus doesn't send them to the wall... Has Fiji had any effect?

No cases detected to date. Cruise ships banned and "international events" will not be allowed and anyone that travels outside Fiji will have to self isolate for 14 days so maybe the silktails will have to relocate to Cronulla.
 

deluded pom?

Coach
Messages
10,897
Interesting to see Fiji Silktails record a 40-16 win over Windsor Wolves in their first Ron Massey match..
I was dumb enough to buy a Silktails membership and they haven't even the courtesy to send me an email with regard to any news or match updates. I learn more from this forum than I do from them. Once bitten.
 
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