Lae Snax Tigers

Stanley Tepend’s men were tested by the Nadi Aviators yesterday, but held on to win back-to-back titles.

“The Aviators really did their homework. They really put it to us and it was a much improved performance.

“Credit to the Aviators. They came here with a better side and better game plan,” said Tigers' coach Tepend.

Tepend said he was proud of his team’s performance.

“I’m very happy with the win. We needed this hit up. It answered some questions that we had, especially in our key positions.

The Tigers were on the board inside the first ten minutes through fullback Joe Joshua.

The visitors registered their first points when they opted to kick for goal.

They soon found the try line just minutes later when Sikeli Qauqau reached over to slam the ball down.

A successful conversion put the Aviators in front by four points.

But they let the Tigers back in when lazy defence allowed Mafu Kales to sneak in a four pointer.

The players with the coach and officials took the time to sit with the children and share goodie bags containing food, drinks and Tigers merchandise. 

Inclusive Education Program Coordinator, Suemylee Uriah, said it really meant a lot to the 108 children of Cheshire Inclusive School.

“We only see these players on TV, so for the children here to actually meet them is a really big thing.

“It will motivate them and make them see that commitment and discipline will take them places and give them the belief that they too can be whatever they want to be.”

There are 16 teams taking part in the two tournament, which is being played at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.

The quarter-finals for the 9s challenge will start at 12pm today. The Plate grand final will be played at 2pm followed by the Cup division at 2:30pm.

The presentation will be held straight after.

These two games will mark the official start to our PNG Rugby League season.

Our two champion teams – Digicel Cup premiers Lae Snax Tigers and Queensland Intrust Super Cup premiers SP PNG Hunters - begin their defence against quality opposition.

In a statement, PNGRFL CEO, Reatau Rau explained that both games are equal in status with the first game between the Tigers and Nadi Aviators not dubbed as a curtain raiser but the first of the international double header for the day.

The two sides met earlier this year in February, and it was the Tigers who won convincingly, handing the Aviators a 40-4 beating at Lawaqa Park, Singatoka, Fiji.

The 2018 Melanesian Cup Challenge will be played in Port Moresby in February.

The Agmark Gurias were the first team to win the Melanesian Cup Challenge, thumping the Sabeto Roosters 42-2 in Port Moresby back in 2015 when the concept was first introduced. 

Simon’s appointment as captain of the team was announced this morning at a press conference in Port Moresby.

Present was Vice Sports Minister Wesley Raminai, the PNG Rugby Football League and naming rights sponsor – National Gaming Control Board.

Simon has led the Tigers to claim four consecutive minor premierships and has won two grand finals with the Tigers.

The Lae Snax Tigers halfback said it was an honour to be named captain.

“I don’t have much to say. Our actions will speak on the field.

The classy Lae Snax Tigers' halfback slotted through a 91st minute golden point field goal to beat the Agmark Rabaul Gurias 11-10 in this afternoon’s grand final at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

It was thrilling, unbelievable, heartbreaking and historic, which kept the crowd of thousands cheering all afternoon.

There was some scrappy football from both sides in the opening exchanges with the match being played up the middle of the field.

It was the Gurias who found their feet first.

It will be the four time minor premiers from Lae up against the Rabaul boys who are playing in their fourth consecutive grand final.

“We’re not going to change much in our game plan. Preparation is key. We just need to work on our preparation leading into the game,” said Tigers coach, Stanley Tepend.

Both sides met in last year’s grand final with the Tigers edging out the Gurias 14-8 in a thriller. Expect no less tomorrow.

His comments follow the major semi-final match over the weekend.

“It’s been a good effort by everybody. We’ve had injuries and a lot of things that went against us. We had three loses in a row for one patch of the season.

“Credit to the Gurias but our boys stuck it out for the 80 minutes. It was a really big effort by them,” said Tepend.

Tepend added winning the minor premiership this season was an added bonus for the Tigers.