rugby league

Rugby league is now being introduced widely to schools throughout the region by NRL Australia in PNG under the League Bilong Laif (LBL) program.

The program works with schools in the four regions of PNG using rugby league as a tool to support education outcomes.

Development officer Kenneth Kenevi says his team of three staff has done well to bring back the interest of the sport after the Bougainville Crises.

Since the program’s inception at Bougainville in March 2015, they have had about 30 schools involved.

Digicel increased its commitment to the sport and the people of PNG after announcing last year that from 2016 Digicel Play will broadcast NRL.

People can also watch the State of Origin Series, The All Stars Match, the ANZAC test, under 20’s games, Digicel Cup and the QRL Intrust Super Cup.

Digicel will also launch a dedicated NRL page on LOOP PNG which will provide game and coverage details and up to date NRL news throughout each day.

Located in the Rigo district of the Central province, hundreds from nearby villages are expected to turn up to Kemabo village to watch what KRFL President, Lega Kikima says will be a big grand final for fans and sponsors.

In the main game in A Grade division, the Laugau Roosters will go up against the Kino Rabbitohs.

Kikima said the Roosters are highly favoured to win with their season winning record but says the Kino Rabbitohs may prove them wrong with their experienced pack.

“Justin Tkatchenko (Sports Minister) misses the point completely, he talks about things that are very trivial without addressing the real issues,” Polye’s comments referred to the Sports Minister’s response to his media statement.

 “I am addressing two issues, the first point is that the administration and management of rugby league as a sport in Papua New Guinea has been a failure, so much time and resource have been put into this particular sport but PNG is ranked below other smaller nations like Fiji (7^th placing) and Samoa (4^th placing).

Today saw the completion of three days of competition played at the Kelerakwa primary school field.

Tournament director, Mike Vele said 10 teams from all over the Aroma Coast took part.

"It was good, the tournament  brought the whole community together and there was no trouble during Christmas and New Year. It was peaceful," said Vele.

He finished by thanking Member for Abau, Sir Puka Temu for giving K10,000 to run the tournament.

The Sir Puka Temu Cup was won by Small Bees after beating Vewala Hunters 16-8 in the grand final.

Off contract at the end of the 2016 season, Bird has been linked with a possible return to St George Illawarra where he played much of his junior football but told Denan Kemp's The Locker Room podcast that he is happy at his current club.

"There is a bit of speculation there. Obviously a lot of people are wondering what I'm doing in the near future but I'm working with my manager to sort that thing out," Bird told The Locker Room.

"There are a lot of things going on; I couldn't tell you where I'm going to be.

The Four Nations tournament, to be played in the UK next autumn, will offer England, Australia and New Zealand the opportunity of going in to the 2017 World Cup as the number one ranked nation, a position currently held by the Kiwis.

KRFLpresident Lega Kikima explained that this is due to the upcoming community commitment to the KRFL reunion games during the festive season.

“The 26th of December is committed for the KRFL rugby reunion games. The reunion will see about two hundred players taking part. There will be a presentation to all surviving original KRFL rugby league players,” said Kikima.

He said the rugby finals for the normal KRFL compeition will start on the 2^nd of January with the grand final to be played on the 9^th.

The games will start in about a month’s time and will run for eight weeks.

The knock-outs will be held in Lae in mid February with the finals to be moved to Wabag in the third week of the same month.

Below is the official calendar released by the Ipatas Cup CEO Timothy Lepa:

They defeated Gaire team Kevaru Thunders 13-8 on the weekend at Gaire village.

Titans were boosted with Digicel Cup seasonal players Agiru John and Hubert Kila Pat from Isapea.

Thunders however are a foundation team from the league and comprised of mainly young players from Gaire village.

Titans were the first to score followed by a successful conversion 6-0. Having a heavier forward pack that was on the go, Titans maintained the lead until half time.

The village went into a rugby league fever as the crowd supported with excitement.