Digicel Cup

At halftime both teams were locked up at 6 all.

West New Britain Governor and Patron Sasindran Muthuvel said it was a great afternoon back at home watching the boys against the Lae Snax Tigers.

He said the Cutters played really well but lost the lead in the dying minutes.

Governor Muthuvel said, “Regardless, it’s always a pleasure watching our home grown talent showcase in front of our people.” 
The Governor was also happy to present the 2022 PSIP funding of K200, 000 on behalf of the provincial government to the Kimbe Cutters team.

Talita joins the Gulls from the Hela Wigmen in the Papua New Guinea Digicel Cup competition where he was their captain and led the team to the 2020 premiership.

The 26-year old strike centre has been one of the leading players in the Digicel Cup and represented Papua New Guinea at the Rugby League World Cup 9s in 2019.

Seagulls CEO Hanan Laban says Talita will be one to watch this season.

“Stanford has been a star in the Digicel Cup and we are very fortunate to bring him to Wynnum,” Laban said.

After a 11 grueling weeks of rugby league action the stage is set for the top 6 teams to battle on for this year's ultimate prize, the Digicel Cup.

While Tigers (1st) and Muruks (2nd) take the weekend off, the fight continues between Rabaul Gurias and Waghi Tumbe, and POM Vipers vs Hela Wigmen in do or die situation.

Paul Wani, Aaron Kilo and Leonard Alphones have made their way from being rugby leagues players and gone straight into becoming referees are encouraging young players to look into becoming referees as a career pathway.

Senior Referee, Paul Wani said it’s great to see Digicel cup players now refereeing the competition in the game venues around the country.

Wani said: “Players who have come direct from playing to refereeing, has seen an improvement in the quality of the game.”

The global pandemic affected PNG’s sporting fraternity, with stringent COVID-19 protocols taking a toll on sports facilities and competitions in the country.

The PNG National Rugby League Competition had to stop its affiliated clubs from running its competitions.

PNGNRLC Chairman, Adrian Chow said they were collaborating with the Government in doing their bit in supporting COVID-19 key messages and creating awareness in venues and competitions.

MVIL Managing Director, Michael Makap said they are happy with PNGNRL promoting their safety road messages.

As part of Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited continued support to the PNGNRLC, the cheque of K250,000 to PNGNRLC will go towards supporting the PNGNRLC Referees in the country and its competitions.

 “We are grateful to MVIL for supporting us in this trying time. It will help us carryout our competitions and other programs that PNGNRLC is running in the country and these includes our referees,” said PNGNRLC chairman Adrian Chow.

The win sees the Muruks move to outright first on the competition ladder with just one round of competition left, putting the Southern Highlands team in key position for the approaching finals.

In a tight encounter at the Tiger’s home ground, halfback Josiah kicked four penalty goals across the match to setup the win. Max Vali scored the only try for the game.

The main drawcard on Sunday will see early Cup favourites and joint competition leaders Lae Snax Tigers and PRK Mendi Muruks in Lae.

While teams fight on to keep their finals hopes alive an epic battle at the top end of the ledger for minor premiership honors is looming between competition leaders, Lae Snax Tigers and second placed PRK Mendi Muruks this Sunday at the Lae rugby league oval.

Both teams are currently locked up on 16 points apiece with Tigers just ahead on percentage.

After the approval for crowds to be allowed to watch the rugby league matches, the PNGNRLC Board released a revised draw with matches scheduled for the New Guinea Islsands, and the Highlands regions, apart from Moresby.

Kokopo, Kimbe, Minj and Wabag will host matches this weekend apart from Port Moresby.

Rugby League fans in Kokopo, Kimbe, Minj and Wabag will be treated to some live rugby league action this weekend. 

“I represented the Lae Snax Tigers for about 8 years after leaving the schools boys rugby league program, and was then selected into the Hunters program and played for the Hunters. But due to injury, I left league to focus on my injury and only recently, based on my own evaluation of my health, I was able to come back to participate in PRL Games and train the South Rugby League Team as Captain,” said Mone.