Morobe Hammerheads

Morobe Rugby Union is hoping to play two teams in the Super 7s Sries tournament and they are Hammerheads and its development Club, Tiger Sharks.

Hammerheads was recently awarded the National Performance of the year 2022, at the SP Sports Awards.

Despite this on field success, Morobe RU President Lionel Kamiak said many of its players have crossed over to Rugby League, leaving the club struggling. However, with the depth of talent in production line, there is enough to cover for the loss.

This award recognizes a team or an athlete who put up consistent performance throughout the year.

Morobe Hammerheads have been one of the best Rugby 7’s teams in the past few years now. But their performances last year in a couple of competitions were exceptional.

They appeared in National Provincial Championship finals, and were the back-to-back champions for the KPHL super 7’s series.

Hammerheads however failed to defend the cup for the 3rd time and had to settle for 3rd place (Bronze).

Meanwhile CRU Boromas of Port Moresby finished off their series campaign on a high after defeating 3rd time Cup Runners-Up the West New Britain Kimbe Rebels 17-12, to take out 3rd and last Cup Series Grand final yesterday. 

In the preceding Cup Semi-Final playoff, Rebels knocked out favourites Hammerheads in extra time for the right to meet Boromas in the Cup grand final but again fell short.

The Morobe men showed class and experience since week one of the tournament beating some of the more fancied teams from the Southern and NGI regions.

The Hammerheads is tipped to take out the KPH PNGRU Super 7s series as they head into the finals this weekend.

The team coached by former Pukpuk, Joe Toilip has been in great winning form since week-1, losing only one match in their pool before going on to beat Kimbe Rebels in back to back fashion in rounds one and two.

Athough it was a rematch of last Sunday's big showdown against the Kimbe Rebels it was quite special and an emotional victory for the Morobe boys dedicated to the memories of the late MP.

The Hammerheads beat Rebels 17-5 to claim the round-two trophy.

According to Hammerheads Assistant Coach Joseph Wamapiri, after the news broke out of the late MPs tragic passing, the team observed a moment silence to show their respects before they started their pool matches on Saturday. Their back-to-back wins were also dedicated to Late Basil.

They walked away with K4,000 prize money and the trophy.

Before Sunday's Cup final, both Hammerheads and Rebels lost a game each during respective pool matches and had to overcome a stiff challenge from the other top 8 contenders East  New Britain (Dawapia), AROB (Black Orchids), CRU (Boromas), Central (Wairemos), Gulf (Saukuru) and NCD (Dagwalas), to get to the ultimate Cup final.

Hammerheads Coach Joe Toilip said though they lost one game during the round Robin pool matches, he commended his boys for their great attitude and discipline to make it to the finals.

Pre-tournament favourites Hammerheads  lodged themselves into the game from the opening whistle and never looked back.

They dominated possession and ran in two unconverted tries from Eliud Hosea and Maluai Patala to lead 10-0 at break.

After the break the Hammerheads ran in two more tries that left the Orchids shellshocked before Natahan Barramun gave his team some consolation to bring the fulltime score to 22-7.

The Morobeans walked away with the Cup for the second time this year after winning the National sevens title held in October this year.

The Hammerheads, after nailing the East New Britain Kaias in the first semi-final match yesterday, claimed the first spot before the Boromas wiped out Gaigais in the second semifinal match.

It will be an old rivalry clash as Hammerheads stand ready to bring back their lost pride while Boromas are set to maintain their 15s Rugby Union legacy.

The final is set for this weekend with more organised activities, including curtain raiser games.