rugby league

Fiji led 16-8 at the break but had no answers for a PNG side that helped breathe fresh air into the international game. 

Papua New Guinea's spine proved the difference in the end with halfback Watson Boas scoring a double, his brother Ase kicking four goals and hooker Wartovo Puara Junior proving a handful whenever he touched the ball with two try assists. 

This is because the round robin games are still been played.

The tournament, aimed at scouting local talents to represent the Mendi Muruks in 2016 Digicel Cup season, kicked off on Friday at the main town oval with the grand final expected to be played today.

Organisers on the ground confirmed that with the high number of 18 teams, it has taken much longer than expected to complete the round robin matches.

Teams came from districts throughout the province including Ialibu, Pangia, Erave, Kutubu, Poroma, Nipa, Mendi and Imbongu.

The tournament kicked off today at the main town oval with the grand final on Sunday.

Teams taking part are from the districts throughout the province including Ialibu, Pangia, Erave, Kutubu, Poroma, Nipa, Mendi and Imbongu.

The tournament is aimed at scouting local talents to represent the Mendi Muruks in 2016 Digicel Cup season.

Organiser Jack Kerema said they have invited all districts to take part as they want more participation from the local talents.

Female leading development officer from ENB Grace Michael says it is always a challenge to develop this male dominant sport in the province.

Michael has been developing the sport in schools throughout the province since the program’s inception in 2014 under the League Bilong Laif program run by NRL Australia in PNG.

The program works with schools in the four regions of PNG using rugby league as a tool to support education outcomes.

Rugby league is now being introduced widely to schools throughout the region by NRL Australia in PNG under the League Bilong Laif (LBL) program.

The program works with schools in the four regions of PNG using rugby league as a tool to support education outcomes.

Development officer Kenneth Kenevi says his team of three staff has done well to bring back the interest of the sport after the Bougainville Crises.

Since the program’s inception at Bougainville in March 2015, they have had about 30 schools involved.

Digicel increased its commitment to the sport and the people of PNG after announcing last year that from 2016 Digicel Play will broadcast NRL.

People can also watch the State of Origin Series, The All Stars Match, the ANZAC test, under 20’s games, Digicel Cup and the QRL Intrust Super Cup.

Digicel will also launch a dedicated NRL page on LOOP PNG which will provide game and coverage details and up to date NRL news throughout each day.

Located in the Rigo district of the Central province, hundreds from nearby villages are expected to turn up to Kemabo village to watch what KRFL President, Lega Kikima says will be a big grand final for fans and sponsors.

In the main game in A Grade division, the Laugau Roosters will go up against the Kino Rabbitohs.

Kikima said the Roosters are highly favoured to win with their season winning record but says the Kino Rabbitohs may prove them wrong with their experienced pack.

“Justin Tkatchenko (Sports Minister) misses the point completely, he talks about things that are very trivial without addressing the real issues,” Polye’s comments referred to the Sports Minister’s response to his media statement.

 “I am addressing two issues, the first point is that the administration and management of rugby league as a sport in Papua New Guinea has been a failure, so much time and resource have been put into this particular sport but PNG is ranked below other smaller nations like Fiji (7^th placing) and Samoa (4^th placing).

Today saw the completion of three days of competition played at the Kelerakwa primary school field.

Tournament director, Mike Vele said 10 teams from all over the Aroma Coast took part.

"It was good, the tournament  brought the whole community together and there was no trouble during Christmas and New Year. It was peaceful," said Vele.

He finished by thanking Member for Abau, Sir Puka Temu for giving K10,000 to run the tournament.

The Sir Puka Temu Cup was won by Small Bees after beating Vewala Hunters 16-8 in the grand final.

Off contract at the end of the 2016 season, Bird has been linked with a possible return to St George Illawarra where he played much of his junior football but told Denan Kemp's The Locker Room podcast that he is happy at his current club.

"There is a bit of speculation there. Obviously a lot of people are wondering what I'm doing in the near future but I'm working with my manager to sort that thing out," Bird told The Locker Room.

"There are a lot of things going on; I couldn't tell you where I'm going to be.