Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League

The coaching top post is now open for credible applicants to fill after the incumbent coaching guru, Michael Marum’s tenure as head coach of national rugby league team ended on 30^th December, 2021.

Noifa, aged 56, died at his Warala village in Banz, Jiwaka Province, on Sunday after a short illness.

PNGRFL Chairman Sandi Tsaka said Noifa debuted as Kumul No.80 as centre against the New Zealand Kiwis in Auckland on October 2, 1983.

“David and fellow Kumul Joe Katsir were named in a Rest of World side that included Mal Meninga and Wally Lewis to play France around that time,” Tsaka added.

“It is a historic moment for the PNGRFL, our partners and everyone in the country for the Hunters to be the first team in the ISC grand-final,” said PNGRFL chairman, Sandis Tsaka.

“On behalf of everyone in the country, I congratulate Michael Marum and the team for delivering this result.

“The time, effort and sacrifices you, your coaching staff and players put in has resulted in this historic result and we congratulate you all for this,” Tsaka said.

Tsaka was re-appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lae, during the weekend, for another three-year term.

Tkatchenko highlighted that the successful AGM shows that the management from the board level down to the chief executive officer have the confidence of all the teams’ presidents throughout the country.

Tkatchenko said this shows that rugby league has now taken the lead in good governance and good sport.

The boys from Tatana led 10-4 at the break with tries to Linus Dick and Maru Kilina. The Broncos only four pointer came from Dairi Iageti.

T.I Stones pushed themselves further in front in the second half through a try from Sebastine Gaudi. This put the score at 14-4.

But the Broncos boys from Porebada village fought their way back scoring towards the end of the second half to level the score at 14-14, and force the game into extra time.

PNGRFL CEO Bob Cutmore said the penalties enforced on the club and players will still stand.

“PNGRFL will meet on Saturday to discuss the events that happened to see that the right process and procedure are followed (by PNGNRL),” Cutmore said.  

Below were the decisions PNGNRL reached on the semi-final incident.

Wamp Nga Mt. Hagen Eagles:

Last week saw the semi-finals being played.

In the Bowl event, Tubs Titans will take on Keleone Greens. This game kicks off at 11am while Rigo Magani will lock horns with Aroma East Coast in the Plate grand final starting at 1pm.

The Cup grand final will see the Porebada Bulldogs  go up against Aroma West Coast at 3pm.

The grand final will be played next Friday at the Kone Tigers Oval in the nation’s capital.