PNG DIGICEL CUP 2021

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So its finally happening.
Digicel Cup 2021 Kicks off this weekend.

https://www.thenational.com.pg/pngnrl-announces-draw-for-2021-season/

PNGNRL announces draw for 2021 season


THE draw for the upcoming Digicel Cup season has been released with the Rabaul Gurias and Waghi Tumbe opening the campaign at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The 12-team competition consists of 16 rounds with the finals to be held in September.
Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League chief executive and acting PNG National Rugby League competition manager Stanley Hondina said the first four rounds of the competition would be played at Port Moresby’s Sir John Guise Stadium and the Lae Rugby League Ground only.
He said one of National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning’s conditions was to see matches played without crowds at both venues in the first four rounds.
“The controller gave the official clearance this morning (Friday) for the competition to start,” he said.
“We are happy that the 2021 season will finally kick off, but our biggest challenge now is to strictly follow the Covid-19 measures so that we complete the season successfully.”
Hondina said the current Covid-19 situation in the country was different from last year.
He urged all franchises to take heed of the measures and uphold the trust given by the relevant authorities.
“We were given approval because the authorities had confidence that we will meet the conditions and we will adhere to the safety measures,” Hondina said.
“Last year, there were less Covid-19 cases.
“This year, there are more than 10,000 cases. “So all franchises must not be complacent and they must take the safety measures seriously.
“We must work together so that our game is played and we can finish the season well.”

Round 1 Fixtures:
Sat, May 8 — Gurias v Tumbe (Port Moresby), Port Moresby Vipers v Kimbe Cutters (Port Moresby);

Sunday May 9 —Hela Wigmen v Goroka Lahanis (Port Moresby), Gulf Isou v Central Dabaris (Port Moresby), Lae Tigers v Mt Hagen Eagles (Lae), Enga Mioks v Mendi Muruks (Lae).

 

[mikail-eagle]

https://www.thenational.com.pg/reigning-champions-launch-2021-digicel-cup-campaign/

Reigning champions launch 2021 Digicel Cup campaign
May 4, 2021The NationalSports


By PATRICIA KEAMO
REIGING champions Hela Wigmen launched their Digicel Cup campaign on Friday as they look to look to kick off their title defence on a winning note.
Club chairman Andy Hetra said they had a gruelling preseason with more than 60 players before trimming the squad to 35 men.
“The selection of the final squad was not easy because we knew they could be picked by the SP Hunters for the next level of rugby league,” he said.
Hetra said although seven of their Hunters recruits had left a gap in the team, it was also a positive sign that the club was heading in the right direction.
“We are happy because the seven players (with the Hunters) have not disappointed with their performances,” he said.
“Samuel Yegip has done well for himself, Norman Brown has also performed well with two very good games.
“Judah Rimbu has also stepped up well and the others within the playing group will join the team.”
Meanwhile, Hetra said he was confident that their rookies from the Hela leagues had the potential to further their rugby league careers if provided the right support and environment.
“Our job now as a club is to provide that conducive environment,” he said.
“But as players they need to work hard to produce results.
“With the new crop of players and our experienced players from previous the season, we have a good mixture of players who can take us to the grand final again.”
The Wigmen kick off their season against 2018 champions Goroka Lahanis at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Another 3 week delay

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international...igicel-cup-delayed-amid-player-covid-19-cases

PNG's Digicel Cup delayed amid player Covid-19 cases

It was then scheduled for kick-off this weekend but has been delayed a further three weeks despite officials having urged participants to adhere to strict Covid-19 protocols.

PNG's National Rugby League Competition Chair Adrian Chow says the new delay was due to members of one team being confirmed positive for Covid-19 during routine tests.

Chow said in a statement the two members have been isolated but would not name them or their team for privacy reasons.

"The rest of the members were cleared as 'negative' for the Covid-19 virus," said Chow.

"The two affected members were immediately isolated pending further investigations and testings whilst the rest of the team has been put into 'bubble-isolation' for the required 14 days."

The competition is now set to get under way the weekend of May 29th.

 

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Opening Game Result:

 

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Result for Game Two:

 

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Local derby between Vipers and Dabaris finishes in a draw - Asia Pacific Rugby League

Trailing 12 – 0 at halftime, the Central Dabaris have fought back to draw with the Port Moresby Vipers in today’s Digicel Cup match at the National Football Stadium. The...

www.asiapacificrl.com

Local Derby finishes in 16-all draw

 

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Hela Wigmen continue undefeated start after defeating Gurias - Asia Pacific Rugby League

Defending Premiers, the Hela Wigmen, have continued their undefeated start to the 2021 Digicel Cup season alive for another week after defeating the Rabaul Gurias today. After a tight first...

www.asiapacificrl.com

Gurias really struggling this year... only 1 win and 1 draw from the first 5 rounds for a team that is usually always near the top if the ladder.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Highlights Vipers vs Dabaris

 

[cumbrian Mackem]

Highlights Vipers vs Dabaris

Good to finally see some big physical kumul forwards. Who was the big prop and 2nd rower for the Dabaris ME?

 

[mikail-eagle]

Good to finally see some big physical kumul forwards. Who was the big prop and 2nd rower for the Dabaris ME?

I'm not sure about the 2ndrower but the Prop is Muka Kalu. He spent the last 3 seasons with the Gurias but has now moved to Port Moresby to join the Dabaris.

 

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Lahanis end Muruks undefeated start to Digicel Cup season - Asia Pacific Rugby League

The Goroka Lahanis have ended the Mendi Muruks undefeated start to the 2021 Digicel Cup in a thriller at the National Football Stadium on Sunday. The last placed Lahanis pulled...

www.asiapacificrl.com

Tigers dominate visiting Isou in PNG Digicel Cup match in Lae - Asia Pacific Rugby League

The Lae Tigers have continued their undefeated start to the 2021 Digicel Cup season with a convincing win over the Gulf Isou. Playing in front of a home crowd for...

www.asiapacificrl.com

Mt Hagen move into top five following Mioks victory - Asia Pacific Rugby League

The Mt Hagen Eagles have moved into the Digicel Cup top five following their win over the Enga Mioks in Port Moresby on Sunday. After losing their opening two matches...

www.asiapacificrl.com

Professional second half display helps Tumbe to win in Lae - Asia Pacific Rugby League

The Waghi Tumbe have dominated the second half of their Digicel Cup match in Lae on Sunday afternoon to hand the Kimbe Cutters their fourth loss of the year. After...

www.asiapacificrl.com

Lae continue undefeated start, Mendi get knocked off by Goroka, whilst Waghi and Mt Hagen move into top 5.

 

[cumbrian Mackem]

I'm not sure about the 2ndrower but the Prop is Muka Kalu. He spent the last 3 seasons with the Gurias but has now moved to Port Moresby to join the Dabaris.

Think he had #14 on his back?

hiw old is kalu ME? He looks really useful.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Think he had #14 on his back?

hiw old is kalu ME? He looks really useful.

The number 14 is Troy Taumu. This is actually his first year in Rugby League. He comes from a background in Rugby Union.

Taumu calls for pathway development | The National

www.thenational.com.pg

Muka Kalu is 24 years old. He had been with the Hunters 2 years ago but injuries cut sort his stint with them and he went back to the Gurias. And this year he has linked up with the Dabaris.

Experienced campaigner Kalu confident of good start with Central Dabaris | The National

www.thenational.com.pg

 

[cumbrian Mackem]

The number 14 is Troy Taumu. This is actually his first year in Rugby League. He comes from a background in Rugby Union.

Taumu calls for pathway development | The National

www.thenational.com.pg

Muka Kalu is 24 years old. He had been with the Hunters 2 years ago but injuries cut sort his stint with them and he went back to the Gurias. And this year he has linked up with the Dabaris.

Experienced campaigner Kalu confident of good start with Central Dabaris | The National

www.thenational.com.pg

Thanks ME. Hopefully these 2 keep up their strong performances and get picked up by the hunters for next year.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Top of the table clash this weekend.

Wigmen wary of Tigers pack | The National

www.thenational.com.pg

Wigmen wary of Tigers pack​

HELA Wigmen coach Charlie Wabo says the Digicel Cup grand final rematch with hosts Lae Tigers will come down to the battle of the forwards in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash (3pm kick-off).

The round-six encounter at the Lae Rugby League Ground will see the ladder-leading Tigers battle second-placed reigning champions Wigmen for the first time since the 2020 decider.

“The Tigers are always a good side and their pack has been one of the best in the competition over the years,” former Papua New Guinea Kumuls rake Wabo told The National yesterday.
“Skipper Valentine (Culligan) is ready and he’ll get support from our forwards like Tommy Moide and Daniel Pai.
“They have really good finishers in the backs, so that’s something we’ve been working on all week to contain.
“We have some new players since we last played against the Tigers, but there’s always been that trust among our players, so we shouldn’t worry about it that much.
“We’ll be sticking to the same team as last week and nothing has changed in our approach because I keep telling the boys that we have to treat every game we take with the same intensity.”

Wabo said his backline, under halfback Peter Pagali, was prepared to match the fast-paced attack of the Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored side.

Meanwhile, The Stanley Tepend-coached Tigers will be counting on skipper Enoch Sine, Fijian Takiko Noke, and formers SP Hunter pair Casey Dickson and Junior Rop to make inroads against the Kroton-sponsored Wigmen.
The Tigers halves pairing of Mark Tony and Jamie Mavoko, hooker Noel Joel and fullback Sanny will be tested by the visitors.

Fixtures:

Sat, July 10
Isou v Cutters
Dabaris v Gurias;

Sun, July 11
Tumbe v Mioks,
Vipers v Lahanis,
Eagles v Muruks,
Tigers v Wigmen.

 

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Round 6 highlights.

Dabaris vs Gurias

 

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Round 6 Highlights

Vipers vs Lahanis

 

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Round 6 Highligts

Tumbe vs Mioks