rugby league

​Despite the wet conditions, the first 20 minutes proved intriguing, with both teams displaying discipline and holding their defensive lines effectively.

However, on the 30th minute mark, the Ipswich Jets broke through with a try by Paul Iopu, taking the lead 4-0, although the conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

The PNG Hunters quickly retaliated with a try from Joshua Mire in the 34th minute. Sakias Komati’s successful conversion brought the score to 6-4 in favour of the Hunters by halftime.

Zev John, Bobby Tenza, Samuel Yegip and Khaiya Ross grew up playing rugby league on "cow paddocks" in their tiny villages back home in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

They are now preparing to grace footy fields across Australia, with hopes of one day representing their proud country on the international stage and also professionally in the National Rugby League (NRL).

The match up scheduled for Saturday would certainly  generate a lot of interest from the PNG community in and around the great state of Queensland

There will be no love lost when Capras trio Zev John, Bob Tenza and Khaia Ross Junior face off with fellow PNG Dolphins  Jeremiah Simbiken, Judah Rimbu and Steven Numambo.

Bulky Western Highlander and Hela Wigmen product Ross Junior is set to make an impression playing at the QRL level when he debuts for Capras alongside fellow Papua New Guineans John and Tenza who have been at the Capras system for the past two seasons.

Expansion to Australia's closest neighbours is a hot topic after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted PNG counterpart James Marape in Canberra earlier this week.

ARL commission chairman Peter V'landys said last year that placing a side in PNG was "top of the list" for expansion.

Logistical plans discussed thus far on PNG's introduction as the NRL's 18th team have centred on the side basing themselves in Cairns and flying into Port Moresby for matches.

Finishing outside the top 6 last year 2023 has again challenged the Central Dabaris Board management and playing group to get back to the process and re-focus on what worked for them last year and where they need to improve to be better in 2024.

With some decent offseason recruitments apart from drawing emerging talents from their development pathway program Eda Dabaris to add to their core group from last season now in preseason training.

The Broncos and the five-eighth have been involved in prolonged negotiations over a new deal, as the club desperately sought to secure the 20-year-old’s future after he played a major hand in the side’s run the grand final.

Mam burst onto the scene in 2022 with his electric pace and ability to find the try line instantly making him a prospect to watch for the future.

Yet after enduring a tough first season, which saw him lose his place in the side towards the end of the campaign, Mam thoroughly re-established himself in Kevin Walters' side in 2023. 

Fulfilling his wish to be buried beside his late mother and where he originated from since childhood.

At 19 years of age, young Joshua left his village for the city and grew up in Koki. The people along the coastal villages of Keuru, Keakea, Aivau including Orokolo both coastal and inland attended late Joshua's funeral to show their last respects, an emotional farewell to the rugby league star.

Puara Jnr’s team had the last laugh at the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday, with Team White prevailing 22-10 at full-time.

The much anticipated Hunters inter trial was a culmination of two grueling months of pre-season training which started back in Nov-Dec 2023. 

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. 

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.