round 1

The Wamp Nga Mt. Hagen Eagles held off the determined PRK Gulf Isou outfit 20-14 in the close and entertaining contest.

The young Isou outfit had worked hard in the preseason and were out with renewed passion to make a statement for this year’s campaign, but were denied with 6 points.

In front of a boisterous crowd of 40,746 – in the second act of the NRL's historic double-header – the Roosters claimed their first Round 1 win since 2021 on the back of some huge plays from their star centre, who only arrived in the US days before kick-off due to the birth of his first child in Australia. 

After picking off Ezra Mam's wayward pass to score the opening try, Manu set another up early in the second half with an incredible flick pass and by full-time had 10 tackle breaks and 158 metres to his name. 

After a tense and tight first half it was Daly Cherry-Evans and Lule Brooks who took charge in the second 40 to guide Manly to victory in the first ever premiership match played outside Australia or New Zealand.

Both sides traded sets early before Rabbitohs centre Richie Kennar savoured a special moment with the game's first try in the seventh minute.

It was Cody Walker who put Souths on the attack with a chip and regather before Damien Cook jumped out of dummy half and put Kennar over on the left edge. Latrell Mitchell's conversion made it 6-0 to the Rabbitohs.

The match will be telecasted live on Digicel’s TV Wan Sports channel at 1:30pm and 3:30pm (AEDT) respectively on Sunday, 3^rd March.

With the Sea Eagles taking on the Rabbitohs, and the Roosters going head-to-head with the Broncos will be history in the making.

NRL has made the historic decision to launch its 2024 season in Las Vegas with two matches to be played in the famous US city.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo expressed excitement about taking the Australian rugby league to a new frontier.

After finishing the regular season in second place the Sharks went out in straight sets to the Cowboys and Rabbitohs last September but the positives far outweighed the negatives in Craig Fitzgibbon's first year at the helm.

From Nicho Hynes' dazzling Dally M deeds at halfback to the tryscoring deeds of Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo to Matt Moylan's resurgence in the No.6, the Sharks were a force all season and there's every reason to think they can be again.

Both sides were part of the finals action in 2022 but came up short of the ultimate prize with the grind of a long season taking its toll on Ricky Stuart's Raiders particularly, who dealt with a number of injuries throughout the year.

The Cowboys have lost Tom Gilbert to the Dolphins and are also without Heilum Luki (knee) and Luciano Leilua (stood down) but they still boast a strong pack which includes rep stars Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai.

Both sides have been in the headlines over the summer with star players already sorting out their futures elsewhere in 2024 with coaches Ivan Cleary and Kevin Walters sure to want the focus to being back on the field. 

Penrith's golden point loss in the World Club Challenge to St Helens less than a fortnight ago will sting the two-time champions, who will officially start life without the services of Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau. 

After a long stint away from home due to the COVID pandemic, the Warriors can expect huge support at Sky Stadium on Friday night and then at Mt Smart for clashes against the Bulldogs (round 4), Cowboys (round 7) and Roosters (round 9).

With new coach Andrew Webster at the helm and a number of key signings, the Warriors will look to hit the ground running as they look to return to the finals for the first time since 2018.

On Sunday, U/20 Royals and West drew 6-6, Defence and Dobo Warriors drew 6-6 and Kone Storms and Paga Panthers drew 10-10. 

In the Women’s matches, Royals beat Butterflies 70-nil, and West beat Dobo Warriors 28-8. 

In 'A' grade, West beat Royals 2-nil, and Dobo Warriors beat Defence 22-4.

On Saturday, U/20 Tarangau and Hanuabada Hawks drew 6-6, and Butterflies beat Magani 4-nil. 

In the Women’s matches, Hanuabada Hawks beat Paga Panthers 10-8.

Following the success of last month’s Easter Cup Challenge, Port Moresby softball continued with its annual Corporate Slow Pitch Women’s softball competition, however this time in mixed male and female teams format on Saturdays.

For the first time this Sunday the Bisini softball diamonds will host another new competition called FAST FIVE HOTTEST SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT ROUND1.

This is softball at another level and expected to be fast and explosive out of the blocks with time against you.

11 Teams have been confirmed for the Fast 5 Hottest Softball Tournament.