Digicel Cup 2021

Three minutes into the match and the Tigers’ centre, Roderick Tai, burst through the Hagen team’s line.

An unsuccessful conversion by five-eighth, Joshua Lau, left the points at 4-0.

Quickly regaining their composure, the Eagles outfit fought back, keeping the burly Tigers at bay until fifteen minutes in and their left winger, Moses Tali, deftly slipped past the hosts’ defense.

An unsuccessful conversion left the scores at 4-all until the Tigers’ halfback, Jamie Mavoko, dove past the Muruks’ try line five minutes later, easily pressing the ball down.

The score was 16-12 as the final siren went off.

It was a perfect Sunday afternoon as the two teams energetically took to the field, with the Muruks registering the first point on the scoreboard through winger, Abraham Wallace.

An unsuccessful conversion left the score at 4 until Muruks halfback, Yaweye Dikala, topped up with another try.

Eight minutes later, the Mioks finally managed to break through a rather tough Muruks defense to register their first try.

The teams went for halftime with their scores at 8-4.

The first match was between the Waghi Tumbe and Rabaul Gurias.

Going head to head, both teams created strong defense but Waghi Tumbe managed to set their mark in just under 5 minutes to score their first try.

Joe Frank brought the score to 6 points with a successful conversion.

Gurias, on the other hand, equalised the score when Sailas Kahuna pushed his way through to score his season’s first for the Gurias, bringing the points to 6 all.

Despite a tough match, Waghi Tumbe managed to lead in the first half with 12 points to Gurias’ 10.

PNGRFL Board Chairman, Sandis Tsaka, said the new rule changes were ratified by the International Rugby League (IRL) at its last board meeting recently.

PNGRFL will be adopting the new rules which will be implemented first in the Digicel Cup, including other sanctioned competitions and schools this year.

Since the IRL Board endorsed the new rule changes, the PNGRFL has been working with all franchises and referees to bring them up-to-date with the new rules before the competitions start.

The decision was made at a special PNG National Rugby League Competition (NRLC) board meeting on Friday, May 7^th.

PNGNRLC board chairman, Adrian Chow, said the delay was due to members of one of the Digicel Cup teams testing positive for COVID-19 following routine tests undertaken on players and officials of the participating franchise teams.

Chairman Chow said the team underwent rapid diagnostic antigen tests yesterday morning prior to their departure to Port Moresby in line with the travel requirements put in place for all teams.