rugby league

Cobbo scored his three tries in the space of 12 minutes in the final quarter of the match to help his side overcome a Māori outfit who led for the opening 44 minutes and fought back to make it a one-score game with two minutes to go. 

Halfback Nicho Hynes was at the heart of the win for Ronald Griffiths' side, scoring a try and then setting one up either side of half-time. 

• Pre-season Challenge: Round 1 Team Lists
• Pre-season Challenge: Biggest storylines

Week 1 schedule

Thursday, February 9

• 6.00pm — Warriors v Wests Tigers at Mt Smart Stadium

Friday, February 10

The highly anticipated announcement comes after months of deliberation with key stakeholders and the Board of the PNG NRLC.

PNG NRLC Board Director, Lorna McPherson confirmed the participation of 11 franchises from the 2022 competition, noting the exclusion of Jiwaka franchise, Waghi Tumbe, and announcing the inclusion of the new franchise, the Sepik Pride.

The 2023 participating teams are: 

In 2020 all its nationwide rugby league competitions and programs were suspended for four months from March to June amidst threats of COVID-19.

Since the suspension lapsed, a handful of individual leagues took it upon themselves to seek conditional approval and clearance from the National Pandemic Control Centre and provincial pandemic offices to continue with games.

Under special consideration PNGRFL applied leniency provided the Niupla Pasin Protocols were followed.

At a press conference held yesterday at the Santos National Football Stadium, representatives of the PNGRFL addressed the process and requirements of affiliation. 
 
Game Development and Participation Coordinator, Nigel Hukula said that the PNGRFL had advertised the expression of interest last Friday to garner interest from new leagues to affiliate due to a hiatus of two years caused by COVID-19 and the National General Elections. 
 
“The whole purpose of this expression of interest is to start getting the momentum of rugby league back into the community.” 

The Jiwaka native who made a move to join the East New Britain franchise Gurias last season was just the impetus, he needed to get a second shot at making the Hunters, after missing out
in 2019.

Voted Five-eight of the Year at the 2022 Digicel Cup Awards Night, Saki believes it’s a divine blessing from above making the Hunters final cut. It was second time lucky for him, after falling
short of making the team in 2019 under Matt Church.

While studying in Brisbane, Australia, Jimmy played mostly school boys rugby until he was spotted by former PNG Hunters and Kumul Coach Michael Marum playing in the Queensland PNG Kokomo’s 9s tournament.

Gisua now in his early 20’s and hails from Bogia, Madang Province, possesses a lot of attributes to that of late Kato Otio. He stands at 190cm tall and weighs 108kg with a humble and friendly outgoing personality.

After an impressive start to their campaign in season 2022, notching up four consecutive matches on the trot, the Gulf franchise unfortunately could not maintain that winning streak, finishing off the season outside the top six.

Coach Laka though was quite impressed with the outcome saying, it’s a work in progress.

Since appointed head coach last year, his main focus was to blood in a lot of young boys from their development pathway around seasoned players, and help rebuild a new culture for the club.

Tenza has again worked really hard during off-season to impress Coach, Stanley Tepend and now part of the remaining Hunters 30-man squad for this year’s Hostplus Cup season.

Between 2014 and 2021 Weza Tenza although under-rated was one of the most dangerous dummy halves in the Digicel Cup competition. His quick bursts out of dummy and deceptive foot work has been his trademark for years but as the saying goes” good things come to those who wait”.

The yearly event, which usually runs between February and March, will again feature the 16 Moresby Souths RFL (MSRL) affiliate clubs while invitational teams are again welcome. Dates to be confirmed shortly.

MSRFL Chairman and Tournament Director Bagelo Solien is excited to advise that teams from Gulf, Central and (Lae) Morobe have indicated their participation in this year's tournament.

Team Waidex will be out to defend their title and Bixsie Tala Rasta men will as usual step up to the challenge.