Digicel Cup 2023

Hard hits and rough play by the Muruks, coupled with ball handling errors by the Gurias, saw the visiting team accede to defeat in a packed oval on Monday afternoon.

Playing their home game, the Muruks scored the first try of the round 3 Digicel Exxonmobil Cup match four minutes in through centre, Clent Lama.

With a missed conversion, the scores were at 4-0 until 1 minute before break and the Muruks registered another two points against the Agmark Rabaul Gurias through a penalty goal, going into halftime with 6-0.

EMK Sepik Pride Chairman Bradley Simon, when confirming the trial match, said they have brought their possible strongest side yet as this will be their last trial match before their maiden round one clash against PRK Gulf Isou on April 16, at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

Simon said their four elite players in Captain Wartovo Puara jnr, prop Francis Kembis, gun centre Joe Frank and former Gurias Captain Francis Takai, are part of their first 17 for tomorrow's trial.

ExxonMobil has come on board as a naming rights sponsor for Digicel Cup. The announcement was made today at the Santos National Football Stadium.

Present at the event were PNGNRLC Chairman Adrian Chow, Digicel CEO Colin Stone and ExxonMobil Chairman and Managing Director Peter Larden.

Before making the announcement Chairman Chow took a moment to reflect on the journey and values and importance of having the national rugby league competition and how it’s impacting on the lives of our young people and the pathway it provides.

After losing some key players to other franchises this year, the team is focused on rebuilding its core playing group to boost their campaign again this season.

While they will be without the services of a number of their star players from last year's grand final, the 2023 season has again presented an opportunity for new players to step up and fight for spots.

According to Gurias Team Manager, Mapua Tamtu a 40-man squad has been assembled with most of the senior boys from last year retained and are now into pre-season training.

In sealing this partnership Garamut Enterprises presented new training shirts for the team and announced the increased sponsorship amount from K7,000 to K25,000 to boost the teams 2023 campaign.

After jumping on the band wagon last year, Garamut Enterprises are committed to continue supporting the Gulf franchise with training shirts to use at training and warm-up on game day.

The short presentation took place yesterday at the Moresby Southside stadium.

The Talasea DDA comes on board to support the provincial franchise since its inception in 2019.

Kumai said as part of its quests to address law and order in the province, sports is one of the platforms where youth can engage, preventing social disorder.

The former Kimbe Cutters Team Manager is pleased with the continuous support from the West New Britain provincial Government and challenged other corporate bodies to come on board as well.

The team’s official training program for the 2023 season commenced today at the Peter Humphreys Oval in Kimbe.

Another former Guria player and team doctor, Danny Patrick will stand in as Assistant Coach.

The contract signing took place in the presence of Naming Rights Sponsor and Director, Emmanuel Kange.

After the signing both coaches flew off to Wewak this afternoon to set up the team's training program while players will join them later this week.

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: 

Gun centre Joe Frank “the tank” 2022 five-eighth of the Year Saki Peter and rising prop forward Koso Badi have made the final 30-man squad after impressing Hunters Head Coach, Stanley Tepend at preseason training since  camp started in November.

The Hunters team will be further trimmed down to 25 before the season kicks off in March.

From the Gurias trio, Frank in particular who had a solid season with Gurias in 2022 has worked really hard to earn his spot.

They have started preseason training.

The core of the team that landed the Central Dabaris maiden finals season has been retained with a few new faces in a bid to maintain the clubs dream run.

Meantime, the 4^th edition of Central Dabaris rugby league 9s tournament is underway. The competition started on Monday January 09.

It is expected to be played across the entire central province in 13 zones before the winners come to Port Moresby for the finals in early February.