PNG Kumuls

The PNG Sports Anti-doping Organisation, in partnership with Sports Drug Testing International, carried out the session, which was conducted by three ‘Play True Pasifik’ anti-doping educators in training: Dr. Bernie Amof, Ilaita Gigimat and Richard Ora, including OSEP coordinator, Alurigo Ravusiro.

CEO of the PNG Rugby Football League, Reatau Rau, said this in a brief statement after the announcement of the SP Hunters 20-man squad yesterday afternoon.

 “And until this matter has been dealt with, there will be no further comment,” said Rau.

In Noki's place to take on the Ipswich Jets this Saturday will be Wellington Albert.

(Henry Wan Noki – Picture: Zimbio)

The Paul Barrière Trophy will tour PNG in months leading up to the tournament. 

The RLWC2017 is scheduled from October 26-December 2 and will be co-hosted by Australia, New Zealand and PNG.

RLWC2017 tournament partner, Oil Search, will take part in significant programs within the community with RLWC over the next 10 months.

This includes the Paul Barrière Trophy tour across the country where Oil Search will have the naming rights to the trophy tour.

This was announced today by RLWC2017 general manager commercial and marketing, Rohan Sawyer.

NFS will host the PNG Kumuls’ three pool matches against Wales (October 28), Ireland (November 5) and the USA (November 12).

NFS, formerly Lloyd Robson Oval, recently underwent a two- year redevelopment program ahead of the country hosting the 2015 Pacific Games and 2016 FIFA Under 20’s Women’s World Cup.

The stadium hosted a sold-out PNG Kumuls versus Australian Prime Minister’s XIII match in September 2016.

The World Cup tournament will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from October 27 to December 2, while Papua New Guinea will host the Kumuls’ three pool matches in Port Moresby.

PNG Kumuls will play their first pool match against Wales on October 28.

The second pool match is against Ireland on November 5 and the third match against the United States on November 12.

Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko said 2017 is going to be a big year for rugby league especially now that PNG will be hosting the RLWC for the first time in history.

Mead will represent PNG and the Broncos when he makes his first appearance for the World All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars in Newcastle on February 10 where he will be joined by fellow Kumul and former Titan Nene MacDonald.

The pair were both part of PNG's stirring 24-22 win over Fiji in the Pacific Test earlier this year and will be key figures in the country's bid to progress beyond the group stages of a Rugby League World Cup for the first time since 2000.

With the PM's XIII team one of the strongest in recent memory and to be captained by Greg Inglis, Papua New Guinea officials named Mead and fellow NRL stars Nene Macdonald, Ray Thompson, Bulldogs-bound Rhyse Martin and Storm signing Justin Olam in a team that is dominated by members of the PNG Hunters team that competes in Queensland's Intrust Super Cup.

With venue yet to be announced, Moresby will hosts the Papua New Guinea Kumuls’ three pool matches in the RLWC2017 from 27 Oct to 2 Dec 2017.

The RLWC2017 will see 14 teams play 28 games over five weeks, all hoping to be crowned world champions.

With 11 teams already confirmed, the final three teams will come from the European Qualifying Tournament to be played in Oct and Nov this year. 

The teams who are still in the race include Wales, Ireland, Russia, Serbia, Italy and Spain.

Naiqama was disappointed to have to sit out the Bati's