Waghi Tumbe

They return after missing out this season, due to breach of participation agreement set between the team and the PNG NRLC.

PNG NRLC Board Member, Lorna McPherson confirmed the participation of 11 franchises from the 2023 competition, announcing the exclusion of the Sepik Pride franchise for season 2024 and the return of the Waghi Tumbe.

The 2024 participating teams are:

All the points of the entire contest were scored in the first half while both teams struggled to score in the second stanza with many missed opportunities going each way.
 
This was the Tigers fourth premiership title win out of five grand final appearances under super coach, Stanley Tepend.

The naming rights tussle between Giru Construction and Jiwaka Development Corporation saw Giru withdraw from Waghi Tumbe.

Since being a first time sponsor last year, Giru have noted tremendous achievements during their short stint.

Giru Construction owner Fred Koldop said his dream was to help young, passionate players achieve their dreams, and this has been realised.

“Since being a first time sponsor last year, we made tremendous achievements and undeniably have set benchmarks in the history of PNGRFL and Jiwaka Province,” stated the firm.

“We brought for the first time, under our leadership, the Waghi Tumbe into the PNG Digicel Cup finals 2018. History has it that Waghi Tumbe has been a 'Wooden Spooner' however, we beat that record last year.

“Under our management, we sent three of our players (Joe Frank, Emmanuel Wayne and Joshua Nani) to the PNG Hunters Train on Squad, which saw Joe Frank make it through.

This follows spectator violence during last Sunday’s Round 12 Digicel Cup match between Waghi Tumbe and Enga Mioks.

Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competitions (PNGNRLC) board chairman, Adrian Chow, said this decision was made following recommendations by the Match Review Committee. 

In Port Moresby on Saturday, Mioks defeated Kroton Hela Wigmen 24-4.

In today’s matches:

Waghi Tumbe defeated NCDC Port Moresby Vipers 34-18 in Minj.

Gurias took out PRK Mendi Muruks 18-4 in Kokopo.

While, Tigers beat Bintangor Goroka Lahanis 20-18 in Goroka.

Yesterday afternoon, Waghi Tumbe took a 12-10 lead at the break but let the game slip away from them to give the home side a win in front of over 300 spectators.

Lock Sipa Korken extended the lead for Waghi Tumbe just 7 minutes into the second half when he bulldozed his way over the try line.

Jodda Wesley was good with the boot, converting the try to make it 3 from 3 for the afternoon.

But the Gulf boys dominated the remainder of the game with three tries to come out victors.

Tumbe’s after beating the Goroka Lahanis  20-18 in the Round 4 clash last Sunday have built up confidence to take on the Mioks with  with a must-win attitude.

“Over these last four games, the boys have been in hard training and have played well  winning two of their games against two tough teams in the competition and are looking forward to this game to put up a very competitive challenge also,” Waghi Tumbe’s  Captain Joda Wesley said.

“Waghi Tumbe’s hard rocking hit ups and balls skills is believed to be the drive to push the team forward for a tough match,” he added.

The home team defeated visiting team Waghi Tumbe 10-6 today in round 14 at the Murray Barracks oval.

Isapea proved too strong scoring two tries over Tumbe’s one try in the second half.

Isapeas were the first to score from a corner try 25 minutes into the game through full back Junior Arova thanks to a set up pass by five eighth Junior Belo.

This followed an unsuccessful conversion kick by Belo leaving the score 4-0 at half time.