PNG DIGICEL CUP 2021

[yakstorm]

Mioks, Gurias, Cutters and Tumbe finally get to host home games in 2021

Digicel Cup matches move to Enga, Jiwaka and New Britain for the first time in 2021 - Asia Pacific Rugby League

Enga, Jiwaka and New Britain will all host Digicel Cup matches for the first time this season, after the PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) organisers and National Control Centre...

www.asiapacificrl.com

 

[mikail-eagle]

Some surprising results from Round 7;

1. Port Moresby Vipers 20 Lae Tigers 16
2. Mendi Muruks 18 Hela Wigmen 16
3. Rabaul Gurias 32 Gulf Isou 8
4. Enga Mioks 24 Central Dabaris 16
5. Whagi Tumbe 22 Mt Hagen Eagles 10
6. Goroka Lahanis 18 Kimbe Cutters 16

 

[cumbrian Mackem]

Mendi muruks backrow forward nelson yei seems to be on fire and ripping the comp up with a hat-trick of tries in the last round but I was surprised to see who small he was in height.

Can anyone confirm his official stats in terms of height and weight because I think he’s small stature will limit his progress in terms of playing in the NRL.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Mendi muruks backrow forward nelson yei seems to be on fire and ripping the comp up with a hat-trick of tries in the last round but I was surprised to see who small he was in height.

Can anyone confirm his official stats in terms of height and weight because I think he’s small stature will limit his progress in terms of playing in the NRL.

Haven't seen Nelson in person yet so I'm not sure too. And I can't find any stats on him anywhere but he is still only 19 or 20 years old and probably still growing up.

His big brother Mckenzie Yei (See below) who plays for the Central Queensland Capras is a big guy.

 

[cumbrian Mackem]

Haven't seen Nelson in person yet so I'm not sure too. And I can't find any stats on him anywhere but he is still only 19 or 20 years old and probably still growing up.

His big brother Mckenzie Yei (See below) who plays for the Central Queensland Capras is a big guy.

I hope that you are right and that he continues to grow in height but unless he can reach at least 5’10-5’11 he’s small stature will severely limit his progress.

 

[Perth Red]

Is this comp full time professional, part time or amateur?

 

[mikail-eagle]

Is this comp full time professional, part time or amateur?

It's almost fulltime now. I'd probably say over 80% of the Teams are fully professional.

It used to be only the Rabaul Gurias, Lae Tigers, Hela Wigmen, Mendi Muruks and Port Moresby Vipers that had fulltime squads. The other Teams used to have players who had other day jobs etc besides training and playing.

But that has changed in the 2-3 years. Everyone is now mostly a fulltime Rugby League player and they get paid pretty well too.
Though there are kids in the 18 to 21 year range that are still juggling school studies and playing at the same time. Same as Justin Olam who used to study at University while playing for the Lae Tigers.

 

[mikail-eagle]

And the comp now has a new leader.
Mendi Muruks have taken top spot from the Lae Tigers with one normal season round to go.

Muruks knock off Tigers in top-of-the-table clash – The National

Muruks knock off Tigers in top-of-the-table clash​

August 9, 2021The NationalSports

A PERFECT four from four off the boot by Mendi Muruks halfback Josiah Jimmy saw his side clinch an 8-4 win over the Lae Snax Tigers in the Morobe capital yesterday.
Although the Southern Highlands franchise were kept try-less for the entire round 10 encounter it was new recruit Jimmy’s calm and sure goal kicking which inflicted the Tigers’ second loss of the season and sees coach Rodrick Puname’s side take the top spot in the Digicel Cup standings with a round left in the regular season.
A pleased Puname said the win was built on a committed defensive effort which held up especially over the final quarter of the match.
He said the side were lucky that Jimmy managed to kick four penalty goals throughout the course of match and backed up their No.7 by rising to match the home side.
The only blemish was conceding a try against the run of play to Lae flier Max Vali early in the second half.
“Defensively, it was a good effort from the boys and going into the finals, defence, is the thing that wins the games and it was positive for us,” he said.
Puname said while his side failed to score a four-pointer they played with intensity and purpose and did not mind playing “boring” rugby but would work on their attack for the final round.
He said the Muruks were not guaranteed the minor premiership as they had to beat the Port Moresby Vipers in the final round (11) while the Tigers would face the lowly Kimbe Cutters.
The error riddled match saw a couple of scuffles between the sides with three players — Tigers Roy Kela and Joshua Lau and Muruks Levi Andrew — sent to cool off in the sin bin. Some fans also expressed their frustration with the dour proceedings by throwing objects on to the field.
The halftime score was 2-0 to the Muruks with Jimmy knocking over a penalty after the Tigers were pinged for holding a player down too long.

Muruks 8 (Joshia Jimmy 4 pen) Tigers 4 (Max Vali try). Halftime: 2-0 (Muruks) at Lae Rugby League Oval.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Current Points Ladder

1. Mendi Muruks 18
2. Lae Tigers 16
3. Waghi Tumbe 16
4. Port Moresby Vipers 15
5. Hela Wigmen 12
6. Enga Mioks 7
7. Rabaul Gurias 7
8. Mt Hagen Eagles 7
9. Gulf Isou 7
10. Central Dabaris 6
11. Goroka Lahanis 5
12. Kimbe Cutters 4

 

[Perth Red]

It's almost fulltime now. I'd probably say over 80% of the Teams are fully professional.

It used to be only the Rabaul Gurias, Lae Tigers, Hela Wigmen, Mendi Muruks and Port Moresby Vipers that had fulltime squads. The other Teams used to have players who had other day jobs etc besides training and playing.

But that has changed in the 2-3 years. Everyone is now mostly a fulltime Rugby League player and they get paid pretty well too.
Though there are kids in the 18 to 21 year range that are still juggling school studies and playing at the same time. Same as Justin Olam who used to study at University while playing for the Lae Tigers.

Thanks for the update, great to hear. Adding the reserve grade level is certainly going to strengthen the top comp as well hopefully.

 

[mikail-eagle]

The Southern Super League is only Port Moresby based.
Will most likely only benefit the Vipers, Dabari and Gulf Isou.
The Motu-Koita Lakatois if accepted for next year will also definitely get most of their players from this competition.

 

[cumbrian Mackem]

The Southern Super League is only Port Moresby based.
Will most likely only benefit the Vipers, Dabari and Gulf Isou.
The Motu-Koita Lakatois if accepted for next year will also definitely get most of their players from this competition.

Are the dabari and Isou teams based outside of the capital Port Moresby ME in rural province?

 

[mikail-eagle]

Both Teams are currently based in Port Moresby but the represent neighboring provinces.

Isou from the Gulf Province is about 4 hours drive north-west out from Port Moresby on the Hiritano Highway.

And the Dabari represent the Central Province which is all the surrounding rural areas as soon as you drive out of the City limits in all directions. Port Moresby used to be part of Central Province but has since been separated into a territory called NCD or National Capital District. Probably similar to the relationship between NSW and the ACT.

 

[mikail-eagle]

From the Chairman of PNGRFL.

Minor title up for grabs – The National

Minor title up for grabs
August 13, 2021The NationalSports
GREETINGS to our rugby league family and welcome to our 22nd edition of “Fulltime Reserve” column for this year, in our favourite rugby league newspaper, The National.

The 2021 PNG National Rugby League Competition has been an exciting and evenly contested season leading to a congested premiership ladder, with the minor premiership and the top six finals spots still undecided until the last round of the competition this weekend.

The reward for the best team for the 2021 regular premiership rounds is the minor premiership shield and the prize is still up for grabs this weekend as the final round of the 2021 competition is played at six provincial venues.
Three teams are in contention for the minor premiership, with the PRK Mendi Muruks currently leading the competition on 18 points while, the Lae Snax Tigers and the JPG Waghi Tumbe, both on 16 points are ready to claim the prize should the Muruks falter against a resurgent and vastly improved Port Moresby Vipers in Lae this weekend.

While the Vipers on 15 points and the Kroton Hela Wigmen on 12 points round up the top 5, the final 6th place in the finals is an even toss-up between four teams, the Enga Mioks, the Rabaul Gurias, the Mt Hagen Eagles and the Gulf Isou, who are all on 7 points, separated only by points differentials going into the final round.
To have nine teams vying for a finals placing in a 12-team competition makes for a very exciting final round of the 2021 Digicel Cup premiership and this is testament to the quality and competitiveness of all the teams that have played out an evenly contested and highly entertaining and unpredictable competition this year.

On behalf of the PNGRFL and our rugby league family across PNG, we acknowledge and commend the PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) board and management and the 12 participating franchises together with their players and officials for another exciting and memorable rugby league season, successfully delivered thus far, in spite of the many challenges and difficulties posed by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
We also acknowledge the invaluable support of the naming rights sponsor for the national competition, Digicel PNG Limited and all the partner sponsors of the PNGNRLC together with the sponsors and the partners of the respective 12 franchises who have contributed immensely in cash and kind to ensure the 2021 premiership season is delivered successfully.

We applaud the tremendous support of the thousands of fans and supporters of the respective franchises and the game across PNG, who turned up in their thousands to support their teams and importantly for their conduct and adherence to the ‘Banis Protocol’ guidelines to ensure the games were delivered safely.
As we go into the final round of the 2021 premiership and onto the finals over the next four weeks, we appeal to the teams and the supporters of the game to continue to play and support their teams and the competition in the true spirit of sportsmanship and continue to observe the ‘Banis Protocol’ guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all participants.

Until next week, may the grace, love and care of our Good Lord be with you.
Cheers,
Sandis

 

[mikail-eagle]

Lae Tigers have claimed the Minor Premiership on points differentials after a hard fought 22-18 win over the Kimbe Cutters.
Mendi Muruks who were top of the ladder last week have dropped to 2nd after loosing 6 nil to the Port Moresby Vipers.
Waghi Tumbe claimed 3rd spot after beating defending premiers Hela Wigmen 18-14.

The Top 6 who will be playing finals beginning this weekend are;

1. Lae Tigers - 18 points
2. Mendi Muruks - 18 Points
3. Waghi Tumbe - 18 Points
4. Port Moresby Vipers - 17 Points
5. Hela Wigmen - 12 Points
6. Rabaul Gurias - 9 Points

Vipers deny Muruks – The National

 

[mikail-eagle]

Gurias face Tumbe – The National

So finals games this weekend will be;

1. Elimination Final 1
Team 3 Vs Team 6
Waghi Tumbe vs Rabaul Gurias

2. Elimination Final 2
Team 4 vs Team 5
Port Moresby Vipers vs Hela Wigmen

Teams 1 and 2 (Lae Tigers & Mendi Muruks) have the bye this weekend.

 

[cumbrian Mackem]

Gurias face Tumbe – The National

So finals games this weekend will be;

1. Elimination Final 1
Team 3 Vs Team 6
Waghi Tumbe vs Rabaul Gurias

2. Elimination Final 2
Team 4 vs Team 5
Port Moresby Vipers vs Hela Wigmen

Teams 1 and 2 (Lae Tigers & Mendi Muruks) have the bye this weekend.

Other than the top 5 teams competing in a playoff format a top 6 teams playoff is probably the best concept.

where will the semifinals take place ME? Double header in Port Moresby?

 

[mikail-eagle]

Other than the top 5 teams competing in a playoff format a top 6 teams playoff is probably the best concept.

where will the semifinals take place ME? Double header in Port Moresby?

Yes. Double header in Port Moresby on Sunday.

 

[yakstorm]

 

[mikail-eagle]

Tumbe eliminate Gurias – The National

Tumbe eliminate Gurias​

August 23, 2021The NationalSports

WAGHI Tumbe ended Rabaul Gurias’ season with an 18-8 win in the Digicel Cup elimination finals at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
Recording their ninth-straight win, Tumbe put on a dominant performance that saw them take lead from the start.
The Jiwaka government-sponsored side scored early in the match through winger Robert Koronos and five-eighth David Joseph’s conversion made it 6-0.
The Gurias responded through Elias Stanley who scored in the corner in the 15th minute, however, Gurias forward Francis Takai couldn’t convert the try as they trailed by two points.
The Gurias showed a lot of spirit in the lead-up to halftime with a couple of line breaks but they couldn’t score points off those opportunities.
Tumbe centre Valentine Wamdi didn’t waste his opportunity when he evaded a couple of Gurias defenders and ran across the field to score under the uprights.
Joseph’s conversion made sure Tumbe led 12-4 at halftime.
The second half was all Tumbe as they dominated field possession. Tumbe’s forwards, led by former Lae Tigers forward Tiger Emere, Supa Kokote and Francis Kembis, were brutal in the battle up front which kept their side on the front foot.
Tumbe extended their lead to 18-4 when Bobby Joel scored beside the uprights and Joseph once again was successful with the conversion.
The Gurias only scored a consolation try in the dying stages through hooker Nathan Tente but Takai missed the conversion.
Interim Gurias coach Jessy Alunga was proud of his men despite bowing out of the season.
“We faced a lot of challenges with the Coronavirus pandemic which affected our pre-season preparations but we are happy where we finished,” he said.
Alunga said they could only reflect on the season and improve for next year.
“But congratulations to Tumbe for the well-deserved win,” he said.