rugby league

Lahanis dig deep to cover losses

The franchise management confirmed the reinstatement of the former head coach after he was sidelined last season. Urakusie last coached the side in 2022 with the franchise missing out on making the cut for the finals.

“I trustingly called Gonzela Urakusie to coach. He had a disciplinary problem last year and that’s why we sidelined him and brought in Charlie Wabo. But we made way for him to come into the team,” said franchise manager Tom Pori.

The appointment of Urakusie was amongst some key changes in the club including standing down team Captain Charlie Buka. 

Coaches conference underway

PNG Rugby Football League Head of Elite Player Development, Joe Grima took charge of the sessions today, mainly stressing the roles and responsibilities of coaches and harnessing their skills and the technical know-how of operating computers using specific software to analyze games during match reviews.

Grima is amazed and excited to see how the coaches are bracing the new technology which is adding value to their work.

The coaches conference ends today and will be followed by a one-day sports trainers workshop on Sunday.

Finley keeping fingers crossed for a call up

He puts his best foot forward, hoping for a call-up to the Hunters' final 30-man squad for the 2024 QRL Season.

Following the footsteps of big brother and former Hunter Warren Glare, Finley  has had a fairytale start to his young rugby league career, headlined by his debut for the PNG Junior Kumuls against the Australian School Boys in September, last year.

Koi draws inspiration from former players

After making a transition from rugby union to rugby league in 2020, young Koi played at the semi-professional level with Muruks and Vipers before joining up with the Gurias in the season 2023. Koi’s move to rugby league was inspired by his childhood idols, Glen Nami and Nigel Hukula from the Lahanis.

He said he used to idolize former Goroka Lahanis legends when growing up. They inspired him to take up rugby league.

Hunters selection process winds down

They currently have 36 players in camp vying for spots in the final PNG Hunters 30-man squad for the 2024 QRL Hostplus season.

Pressure is now mounting on the players to put their best foot forward to impress the coaching staff before the final squad list is announced this week.

Coach Paul Aiton and his staff have organized opposed sessions for the past two weeks to assess and recap on what the boys have learnt since block one started in terms of structure, game management and execution which is starting to come together.

North Waghi affiliates to PNGRFL

Last weekend saw the culmination of nine weeks of the inaugural Komni Rugby League tournament concluding with the grand final.

It’s been almost a decade since rugby league ceased to be hosted within North Waghi due to violence both on and off the field.

Stephen Komni Kunumb, who initiated the Komni Legacy Cup says it’s a long road and a hard one to come this far but not yet over, says Kunumb.

North Waghi returns to rugby league in PNG as a PNGRFL affiliate and will stage its season 2024 later in the year, culminating from the off-season Komni Cup.

Tigers centre hopeful for a spot in final squad

The Western Highlander has again defied all odds to make it back into camp for block two of the reduced Hunters' likely squad for the 2024 QRL Hostplus cup season.

Born into a Seventh-Day Adventist family, Robert’s early upbringing was mostly focused on religious activities and education. He only played rugby during the Christmas holidays but never took it seriously.

Morea cleared to train

Over the last month, Morea has focused on improving functional mobility and strength.

These elements are crucial for rugby league players, directly influencing on-field performance. Functional mobility ensures efficient movement, while strength training is essential for preventing future injuries and maintaining peak athletic condition.

Olam set to join Tigers

Just hours after news broke that the club had parted ways with recruitment manager Scott Fulton, the Sydney Morning Herald reports Olam has given a verbal commitment to join the club for the 2024 season.

Olam was contracted with the Storm until the end of 2026, having signed a fresh deal only 18 months ago.

It's expected the 30-year-old will sign a similar three-year deal with the joint venture.

Given that back-rower Shawn Blore has already signed with the Storm for 2025, it's expected Olam's arrival at Concord will send Blore south a year early.

Hunters pathway continues

This collaboration is an integral part of the strategic partnership between the SP PNG Hunters and the Dolphins NRL club, intending to facilitate the entry of more local players from Papua New Guinea into the NRL competition.

Under the guidance of Waynen Bennett NRL’s coaching guru and Dolphins head coach, Rimbu and Kapinias commenced their training this week.

Over the next eight weeks of preseason, they will be working towards securing a full-time NRL contract.