Capital Rugby Union

This weekend the competition enters Round 4 of matches and all required details must be submitted to the CRU Executive by Friday 18^th April, 2022.

Any player listed on this register is eligible for selection in CRU representative teams and restricted to only playing for CRU representative teams ONLY.

This means that selection for other provincial unions is prohibited.

Pools one and two of the Bava park union field became the arena for the enthusiastic players.

Pool 2 saw the likes of four divisions of Crusaders and Valley Hunters go into the match with three of the divisions taking a bow to the Crusaders: Under 19 lost 0 to 10, while B grade lost with a score of 3 to Valley Hunters 15.

It was the women's team that proved too much for the Valley women as they gave them a 26 nil score line.

While in Pool 1 it was a fight between four divisions of brothers and Harlequins that stole the show.

Into the second weekend of the games, the men’s teams have kicked off the rounds with the tens competition whilst the women’s competition have yet to start.

CRU competition manager Paul Joseph says that they are aiming for another exciting year for the competition.

He said 2017, was a challenging year for Rugby union taking into consideration the split of the association.

Joseph admitted that the split has created many challenges on its own but is encouraged stating that the management and teams are taking on the challenge and made a turn for the better.

Twelve men’s and women’s teams are taking part in the pre-season games which will run Saturday and Sunday for two weekends.

There are four divisions taking part in the pre-season. In the men’s, there is the U19s, A-Reserve and Premier and one division for the women’s.

Season proper will start on the second weekend of March.

Capital Rugby Union president Jacob Angua announced this when giving the CRU year review, complimenting sponsors and the PNGRFU Board for a successful 2016 year.

Angua said one of the key focuses for CRU next year is to have a strong junior development for a strong rugby in the country.

“We would like to start kids at the age of 5, 6 and 7 in the junior section going forward,” he said.

Only PNG has the U19s as its junior divisions in the competitions, unlike other countries, Angua stated.

PNG Sports Foundation CEO, Peter Tsamalili Jnr, said the concept was an exciting entry as the country was experiencing unprecedented development in sports.

“Its such a great time for sports in Papua New Guinea and its building a tremendous exposure for what we are about to hold in December,” said Tsamalili Jnr.

He further added: “It’s exciting for the young kids that aspire to be someone in their life using rugby union.”

The Jonah Lomu Legacy Cup is the brainchild of the New Zealand High Commission and Capital Rugby Union.

The Jonah Lomu Legacy Cup, a tournament earmarked to change the landscape of rugby development in the country, was officially launched last night in Port Moresby.

The brainchild of the New Zealand High Commission and the Capital Rugby Union (CRU), the concept follows from a memorial service held on November 18^th, 2015.

The relationship, developed from then on, has now blossomed into a rugby tournament that aims to keep the memories of the former All Black international alive and change the PNG rugby landscape.

It was a hard fought win for the Piggies who came back in the second-half after trailing 3-0 at the break.

Solid and disciplined guarding in the second-half to keep the Defence boys try-less  ensured the win for University.

Two tries midway through the match allowed University to take the lead and hold on until the final whistle.

In the men's A reserve grand final, Wanderers had a narrow 8-7 win over the University Piggies.

CRU’s Paul Joseph urged all teams to turn up on time for games. He said finals will start at 11am with the U19s game between Brothers and Wanderers.

He said entry and exit to the stadium is via the gate opposite Vision City.

Gate fees are: Vehicles – K10 including driver (passengers must pay as charged), adults – K5 and children – K2.

All Pool A teams in the U19, Women’s, A-Reserve and Premier divisions have completed all their games.

CRU’s Paul Joseph explained teams in Pool A will now await Pool B Round 5 matches to be completed to see who will play who in the following weekend's first finals.

Pool B draws for Round 5, Saturday: Taurama Field

            1          9.30am            U19s    Vikings            vs.        V/Hunters       

            2          10.35am          U19s    Nova   vs.        Juggernauts