Sport Kona

19/09/2024

The player market for Australia in the NRL is big top players like Ponga get $1million dollars plus a season at the top and down the ranks it's slowly spread out within the salary cap, for our players to meet the market value there must be an effective plan in place to ensure all the players in what pathway that will exist, must have the best oppertunities and exit points to ensure as many of our boys make it into the NRL market so they can be considered as NRL material, that will mean our Digicel Cup must be also a Australian Tier 2 level competition, hope the 10 year plan can help improve the pathways, and that means having a strong grassroots competition aswell, where the affiliate leagues can be able to produce good players into the Digicel Cup that means junior competitions will truly be the place the most Money must be spent

Kangaroos coach supports PNG's inclusion in the NRL. 🗣️

🇵🇬💥

15/09/2024

The SP PNG Hunters lose to North's Devil's a high scoring game, The SP PNG Hunters had to play catch up football but unfortunately fell short for a grandfinal berth.

The SP PNG Hunters had a great season filled with many challenges which they overcame towards the backend of the season, reaching and despite losing in the preliminary final it was a feat on its, we look forward to the Hunters season in 2025

27/08/2024

27 August 2024

For immediate release BY PNGRFL

Jason Demetriou to be the new Head Coach of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea’s quest to become part of the NRL has received a major boost with the appointment of Jason Demetriou as Head Coach of the PNG LNG Kumuls.

The news comes at a great time for the game in PNG after the recent success of the NRL Bid Academy tournament that showcased the depth of exciting talent at schoolboy level and the
continued development of players coming through the Academy system.

Demetriou brings with him an impressive coaching resume at NRL level.

Having completed his playing career in the UK, Demetriou returned to Australia in 2013 to coach in the Queensland Cup, before landing his first NRL role as Assistant Coach with the North Queensland Cowboys, where he was able to savour immediate success with the side winning the 2015 NRL Premiership after defeating the Brisbane Broncos.

Demetriou then joined the St George Illawarra Dragons as an Assistant Coach in 2016, before linking up with Wayne Bennett at the Broncos the following season, where he oversaw the team’s attack.

After following Bennett to South Sydney in 2018, it was announced that Demetriou would succeed Bennett as Head Coach for the 2022 NRL season, and he was to have immediate success in his first
year in charge, guiding the team to the Preliminary Final.

PNGRFL CEO, Stanley Hondina, was delighted at being able to secure the services of such a highly rated coach:

“Being able to bring someone of the calibre of Jason Demetriou in to coach the Kumuls is fantastic news for the game in PNG.

“Jason has tremendous experience at NRL level and was an integral part of the North Queensland coaching staff that won the 2015 Premiership.

“He will bring a great knowledge of the game and a winning mindset to the role, and we believe that he is the perfect fit for what we are looking to create with our national side.

“We are interested in building a long term relationship with Jason leading up to the 2026 RLWC and have been in talks with Jason and are looking forward to finalising this soon.

“I know he is excited about the quality we have in our squad, and we believe that he will do an outstanding job in working with a talented group of players.”

PNG NRL Bid Chief Executive, Andrew Hill, also saw the appointment as another positive step towards becoming part of the NRL:

“Having someone of Jason’s standing in the game take on the Kumuls Head Coaching role is another great step towards becoming part of the NRL.

“We have worked really hard to create the right pathways structure that will allow us to identify the best young talent and then develop those players so that when they reach the Kumuls they can
benefit from the systems Jason will put in place.

“Everything we are doing is in preparation for becoming an NRL team and we believe Jason’s appointment is another really positive step towards that goal.”

Jason Demetriou expressed his excitement at taking on such an important role:

“The game in PNG is going from strength to strength and it is a fantastic opportunity to work with such a talented squad.
“I have watched the team with interest in recent years and they have a passion for the game that shows itself every time they pull on the Kumuls jersey and represent their country.

“I know that a tremendous amount of work is being done at school and academy level to help prepare the next generation of players and I’m incredibly excited to be able to work off the back of that with the senior team.

“It is a great time to be involved in the game in this country and I’m excited about what lies ahead.”

ENDS

25/08/2024

DIGICEL-EXXONMOBIL CUP 2024 SEASON Tigers extend thier chances as they end the Muruks plight for the Cup

25/08/2024

DIGICEL-EXXONMOBIL CUP 2024 SEASON elimination finals Gurias out of the cup race

31/07/2024

Part three of my Commentary on PNGNRL Bid

This is the final part of a three part commentary on Papua New Guineas Bid to be the 18th team in the NRL, in this episode I summarise, what a NRL team for ...

31/07/2024

Part 2 of my commentary on PNGNRL Bid

In this second part of the three part series commentary on Papua New Guineas Bid to be the 18th team in the NRL, I summarise the challenges that PNG will fac...

03/07/2024

03072024 PNG Kumuls COACH Justin Holbrook moves on to become Australian Kangaroos Assistant Coach.

BY PNGRFL Media

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) Chief Executive Officer Mr Stanley
Hondina today announced the vacancy of the PNG LNG Kumuls Head Coach position.

Hondina confirmed that he was notified by Justin Holbrook of his unavailability to be head coach of the PNG LNG Kumuls for the end of this year’s internationals.

The announcement comes after Holbrook, who steered the PNG LNG Kumuls to its 2023
Pacific Bowl victory and who is currently an Assistant Coach at the Sydney Roosters, gave
notice that he would be moving on from PNG’s national men’s team in 2024.

“It is with mixed emotions that I have stepped down as Head Coach of the Kumuls.I thoroughly enjoyed coaching the team and winning the Pacific Bowl Championships last year in PNG.

To witness the passion for rugby league from all the players, staff and everyone in their country was unbelievable,” Holbrook said.

“I have taken up a role as the Australian Assistant Coach for the Pacific Championships under Mal Meninga for this year's series against New Zealand and Tonga. Both series run at the same time so unfortunately I cannot continue as Kumuls Coach.”

Holbrook added, “I want to thank the PNGRFL for the opportunity to be Head Coach. It was
an experience I loved. The PNG people were so welcoming of me to their country. The love
that they have for their team, and opposition teams, shows how much Rugby League means to the people of PNG.”

Mr. Hondina said, “We respect Coach Justin’s decision and are grateful for the time that he
has served our national side in 2023, which saw the first invitational and international test
series, to be held on our home ground since COVID 19. We wish him well in his future
endeavours and as he takes up this new role with the Australian Kangaroos.”

“The PNGRFL will be releasing a formal advertisement for the vacancy of the PNG LNG Head Coach role in the coming days.”

Dates for the 2024 Prime Minister’s XIII and the Pacific Championships are yet to be released
and announced.

27/06/2024

The Honorable Peter Tsiamalili Jr, the regional Member for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, proudly brought a forgotten piece of history to the MCG. The trophy, engraved with "Interstate Rugby League Series, Bougainville," hails from the first-ever Origin played in PNG.

This is a transcript from an interview with Rugby League historian, Mr. David Middleton.......

Services games were a big part of military life through both world wars, particularly in World War Two and in New Guinea there was a lot of downtime, particularly at the end of the war.

For instance, 20,000 troops were waiting for the ship to take them home to their ports on the Bougainville island. A lot of downtime for playing sporting games, cricket,
Australian rules, rugby league and we learned that on the rugby league field, there was this rivalry between the states. We knew that existed already, but we didn’t know about the actual tribalism and the fierceness of that tribalism. So someone came up with the idea, and it may well have been a bloke by the name of Warrant Officer Ron Connor who went to his superior officer and said we would

like to play an interstate game based on where our
players were born. Fortunately, his superior officer was a rugby league man from Charters Towers (QLD) Major H.A. Titley who agreed to the concept and the games went ahead.

There were two games played in September of 1945 on the island of Bougainville. Based on where players were born

New South Wales or Queensland.
So sport's greatest rivalry was born in Bougainville in Papua New Guinea, which has great significance for where the game of rugby league is now and the relationship with Papua New Guinea.

There were stories during World War Two that the fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, those brave Papua New Guineans who helped Australian soldiers march up the Kokoda Track, loved rugby league, and even later on they loved watching the games played by the the soldiers.
And so this game, a State of Origin game, played 35 years before Queensland and New South Wales did battle at Lang Park has great significance historically.

And of course the connection now with with Papua New Guinea discussions about a possible team in the NRL in the not-too-distant future, the connections are quite remarkable.

09/06/2024

A three part commentary on PNGs efforts to make it as the 18th team in the NRL.

Please like and subscribe of you like the content.

This is the first part of a three part commentary on Papua New Guineas Bid to be the 18th team in the NRL, in this episode I summarise, why it would be a pl...

03/06/2024

Papua New Guinea managed to have a solid performance against T20 Powerhouse West Indies in the T20 World Cup, PNG managed a strong 136/8 in 20 overs, West Indies chased down PNGs score in 19 overs and won with the five wickets in hand for a score of 137/5, the result though seemingly inevitable, did have the West Indies on the back foot.

Watch link for highlights.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/jR2i9e2JM7xqhj2v/?mibextid=CYgPv5

18/05/2024

Impressive three wins in a row for the SP PNG Hunters and it looks good for the second half of the season, A hat trick to Judah Rimbu as the Hunters ran in seven tries to win 36 points to 18.

11/05/2024

SP PNG Hunters Manage a convincing 30 points to 12 win over the Visiting top of the table side Northern Pride

10/05/2024

Due to flight cancellations

10/05/2024

Hunters face their toughest task yet

By Fidelis Sukina (Sport Kona) Journalist

The SP PNG Hunters are ready to face their biggest challenge the first placed Northern Pride on Saturday the 11th of May in round 9 of the Host Plus Cup.

The Hunters in 10th place, are coming off a huge win last weekend, the Hunters in round 8 defeated the Townsville Blackhawks convincingly, at the Jack Manski Oval in Townsville 52 points to 16.

Despite the dominance over the Blackhawks, the Hunters have suffered a setback, with halfback Jamie Mavoko being left out of this weekends line up, Jamie Mavoko has been omitted for this weekends match, after a failed category one Head Injury Assessment (HIA), the concussion happened during the Hunters big win in Townsville.

Mavoko was instrumental with his goal kicking and managed 16 points with the booth converting 8 out of 9 conversion attempts last week, this is a significant improvement with the Goal Kicking, Mavoko who made his return just three weeks ago, had spent the first five rounds of the season on the sidelines due to injury.

Hunters Coach Paul Aiton has maintained his faith in the team and has opted to get Finley Glare as the replacement for Jamie Mavoko for this Saturdays clash against the Northern Pride.

Finley is the younger brother of former SP PNG Hunters Warren Glare, the Lae City junior was the captain of the Junior Kumuls that played the Australian School boys last year in Port Moresby.

The young utility is a promising dummy half and has been at rake for the Hunters off the interchange bench, the inclusion of Glare at halfback is a show of trust by Coach Paul Aiton who is currently short on halve pairings, with both Sakias Komati and Jamie Mavoko unable to take the field due to injury and concussion.

Finley will partner fellow Lae Snax Tigers team mate Joshua Lau in the halves, the young duo will have a tough task ahead this weekend, but Coach Paul Aiton says his side is preparing well for the clash this Saturday.

The performance by the SP PNG Hunters to dominate the Blackhawks has sparked new life into the team, all along Coach Paul Aiton has been talking about sticking to their game plan and having trust in the players he has.

Aiton added that the team are starting to grasp the systems and processes in their game plan and with the teams performance last weekend they look to maintain that consistency as they take on the competition leaders on Saturday.

"We were individually prepared, we are understanding our systems and processes a lot more, and the reduction of our errors and penalties we reduced that quite a lot, its about having faith in what we doing, don't stray away from what we are doing, even though it looks like its not working it will work, we just have to stay with it.

"I am looking forward it, I know the guys are looking forward to it as well, it will be a good measure for us the Northern Pride are right in front at the top of the ladder," Aiton said.

07/05/2024

FUNDING BY KMHL TO HELP LAUNCH FIRST EVER WOMEN'S NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE COMPETITION

BY Fidelis Sukina (Sport Kona)Journalist

Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited made a cheque presentation of the first K3 million to the CEO and Directors of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League in Port Moresby last week Thursday.

The K3 Million Kina is part of a K15 million commitment by KMHL for the next five years 2024 to 2028.

Chief Executive Officer of PNGRFL Stanley Hondina said the funding was timely and will help fund programs and activities aimed at growing and improving the game of rugby league at the top tiers and the grass roots level as well.

The commitment by KMHL opens the door for more funding for the Men’s Digicel ExxonMobil Cup and will be pivotal in ensuring the soon to be launched National Women’s Rugby League Competition is ready for kickoff.

Chairman of KPHL Dr Ila Temu said KPHL was more than happy to make the commitment.

“We are committed to and excited to partner with the PNGRFL for the first time as it continues to build the domestic competition, this provides a great opportunity for our women and girls,” said Dr Ila Temu.

Hondina added that the funding was what the PNGRFL needed to get the Womens Competition off the ground.

“We actually set 2025 to start the National women’s Competition but we’ve managed to bring it in a year early due to the great cooperation with the franchises and among other factors this support from KMHL will really assist us,” Hondina added

Hondina expressed his excitement when making the announcement that PNGRFL was embarking on introducing the Women’s Competition.

“We will for the first time have, a women’s national rugby league competition, we are starting with 6 teams and the competition will be for seven weeks,” Hondina said.

The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition is responsible for the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, which is the men’s premier rugby league competition in Papua New Guinea.

Taking a page out of the Women’s National Rugby League Competition in Australia, the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League with funding support from Kumul Mineral Holdings and other stakeholders will extend the competition to include the Women as well this year, with the date of the kickoff said to be in July of 2024.

Out of the current 12 franchises in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup; six franchises have been selected to field teams in the Women’s competition, and these franchises were selected following a Club audit of the 12 franchises in line with the Club Professionalism Pillar of the PNGRFL’s PNGNRLC 5-year strategic plan (2023 – 2027).

06/05/2024

So it was the Eagles Captain who swore at the refree and refused to accept the 10 minutes sin bin, he is looking at 10 weeks on the sideline, and the referee has been stood down also, sad that this player has not taken responsibility for their actions, plus a thank you to Central Dabaris Rugby League for providing live coverage of your games, allowing the public to witness such atrocity of the game, the public backlash and call for justice by majority of Papua New Guinea's has gained swift action by PNG National Rugby League Competition, Thank you to Tony Archer as well for your guidance and input in our game here in PNG, let us not let this be a setback but a step forward in discipline and setting the precedence in ensuring maximum penalties are given to those that tarnish the efforts put fort by hardworking men and women who strive to bring our game into the modern era, hope we can all learn from this that, there are consequences to these actions and that many want to see growth and decpline in the game, not bad attitudes.

05/05/2024

Finally a win to the SP PNG Hunters, in round 8, and a big win, the Hunters ran in 9 tries with Alex Max scoring three tries in the 52 points to 16 win over the Townsville Blackhawks at Jack Manski Oval in Townsville,.

30/04/2024

One of the most committed and well known Sports Journalist in Papua New Guinea, whether it be Golf, Game Fishing or Hockey he knew at least everyone in a particular sporting federation or national body, PTJ as he was affectionately called by many in the PNG Sports fraternity, was even known through out the pacific as a committed PNG Sports Journalist, no other time has this guy slacked off, only when he was sick or on Holiday, a workaholic no doubt, and testiment to hard work and perseverance, the voice behind NBC Sports radio and TV, Sport Kona pays tribute to a legend in the industry, a unique soul that those past and present in the Sports Journalist space will surely miss.

We remember the friendship and brotherhood, the times we waited and chatted, the times we spoke of the changing landscape in sports Journalism and what it would be like if we could change the Sports Journalism landscape in PNG, I know your immediate friends and family will miss you, also your extended sports journalism network and contacts will reminisce of the good times, I will remeber you as a friend who would always listen and show support, RIEP Paul Taumik Junior

27/04/2024

Another loss for the SP PNG Hunters

21/04/2024

SP PNG HUNTERS COACH PAUL AITON STILL HAS FAITH IN HIS TEAM TO TURN THINGS AROUND.

check link in the end of the story:

BY Fidelis Sukina (Sport Kona) Journalist

It was a bitter end to what was a seemingly positive week for SP PNG Hunters Coach Paul Aiton, the fact that the Hunters were two from two with a bye and having a strong home advantage, the Coach had faith in his team which are placed 10th on the Hostplus Cup Ladder.

He had faith in his side would that they would topple the 2nd placed Redcliffe Dolphins in round six of the 2024 Hostplus Cup on Saturday in Port Moresby.

But all the positive vibes during the week came crashing down in the second half yesterday, with the Hunters 20 points to 12 lead chased down and overtaken by a more determined Redcliffe Dolphins outfit.

The Dolphins ran in five unanswered tries back to back in the second half, but to rub salt to the wounds, Dolphins halfback Joshua James took a practice field goal which felt unnecessary, but it went in anyway, hence the end result 39 points to 20.

At the post match Media Conference Standin Captain Jamie Mavoko sat as Coach Paul Aiton answered questions on the teams poor performance.

Aiton said he for the first time gave the team a strong no-nonsense post match talk to the 18 players after the match, you could see the disappointment on Aitons face whilst being seated.

When Sport Kona asked Aiton if there was going to be any changes to the side after the dismal performance, he said he will make the necessary changes, but he also mentioned that he had faith in the players that took the field, but again he was very disappointed with the finish.

"I believe in these 18 players I know they can win the top teams in the competition but its not happening," Aiton said.

"I think highly of these players, I know how good they are, I've see how they play and they are a good team, that's why its hard to see scores like that, seeing teams go against us like that, we were good in moments of the game, we defended how we wanted to defend in moments of the game, but you cant win in moments of the game you have to be consistent," Aiton added.

He went on to say that three of the players in the match, Finley Glare, Alex Max and Koso Bandi were injured and they were out of interchanges as the game progressed to the backend, but Aiton didn't see that as a big contribution to the teams lackluster defense.

"Alex Max was injured during the match he had a back issue, and Koso Bandi has redone an ankle injury and Finley Glare was injured early in the match, and that really affected our interchange," Aiton said.

CLICK THIS LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyIrpDMUE0M&ab_channel=FidelisMultimediaTO WATCH THE FULL POST MATCH CONFERENCE

21/04/2024

Results for Round 2 of the PNG National Rugby League Competition Digicel ExxonMobil Cup 2024.

20/04/2024

SP PNG HUNTERS SUFFER HUMILIATING LOSS AT HOME 39-20.

By Fidelis Sukina (Sport Kona) Journalist

A dissapointing performance by the home side, as the visiting Redcliffe Dolphins win the Stan Joyce Cup, the Dolphins running in 7 tries and kicking a field goal to defeat the Hunters who could only manage 4 tries, the final score 39-20 in favor of the Dolphins.

The SP PNG Hunters started off slow in the first half, with loose carries by the players, the dropballs slowing the teams momentum, the Dolphins managed to have a good go forward through Centre Valynce Te Whare powering up the middle, the bigger more agile Dolphins forwards proved a handful and dominated in the first quarter, The Dolphins scored in the 11th minute through halfback Joshua James, James converted his own try and the Dolphins were 6-0.

20 minutes into the match and the humidity started to kick in, the Dolphins on the back foot as the Hunters quickly found common ground in attack, Hunters managing a good gain as they settled play in the Dolphins 20, a simple ruck and go forward before halfback Jamie Mavoko stepping two defenders to find the tryline.

A missed conversation by Clent Lama leaving the Hunters to trail 6-4, the Hunters continued with Whallan Tau-Loi scoring the teams second this time a successful conversation taking the scores to 10-4 in favor of the Hunters.

A third try by Joshua Lau taking the Hunters to a 14-6 lead, the score remaining the same after a missed conversion.

But the Dolphins managed to close the deficit to 2 points, when Steven Numambo dived on to a chip kick to score a converted try.

The scores remaining at 14-12 in favor of the Hunters at half time.

The Hunters started off great in the second half with a try to Sonny Wabo in the opening minutes of the half, to take the lead to 20-12 after a successful convertion. The Hunters enjoyed just for a short time before the Dolphins piled on the points.

The visitors running in five unanswered tries back to back, to take a 38 points to 20 lead, if that wasn't enough the Dolphins half back Joshua James sloting in a field goal to further extend the lead 39 - 20.

The Dolphins handing the Hunters their first defeat at home and their third loss for the season, the Hunters giving up in defense as the Dolphins ran in easy tries, the Hunters defence has become a problem with a communication breakdown among players.

19/04/2024

Zachariah Selu is making the best of his opportunity with the SP PNG Hunters, the Rabaul Panthers halfback, gained the attention of Hunters Coach Paul Aiton at the Zone Trials in Port Moresby and was given a train and trial preseason with the Hunters, after a gruelling preseason He made the final 30 for the teams 2024 Hotplus Cup Campaign, but is yet to make the starting line up.

He is currently also contracted to the Mendi Muruks in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, where he is gaining much needed match fitness

19/04/2024

ZACHARIAH SELU MAKING THE BEST OF HIS HUNTERS OPPORTUNITY

BY Fidelis Sukina (Sport Kona) Journalist

The SP PNG Hunters had around 50 players at the start of pre-season and cut down their squad to 30 members when the team launched their 2024 Hotplus Cup campaign.

The preseason included contracted players and train and trial players, not many get this opportunity, especially those that play outside of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.

But the rugby league talent in PNG remains raw and widespread, with the limited pathways available to get to the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, many ply their trade in the local leagues hoping for a shot at the Zone trials to get the attention of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup sides.

But for few that play in the local leagues and have caught the attention of the Coaches in the Hunters, they jump straight to the Hunters from the local leagues.

Zachariah Selu is one of those players who impressed Hunters Coach Paul Aiton during the Zone Trials in Port Moresby last year, earning himself a spot in the Hunters preseason.

"I play halfback at my club the Rabaul Panthers, I came straight from the Zone Trials and came into the Hunters, Coach Paul Aiton watched my game and gave me this opportunity.

The 24-year-old says his intention like most players in the local leagues was to make an impression at the Zone trials to get scouted into perhaps the Gurias or another team.

Being a young lad from East New Britain watching the Hunters and his role models the Boas Brothers Ase and Watson, kept his dream for the Hunters well and truly alive.

He was in Port Moresby for studies but opted to return to East New Britain to play rugby league.

"From Vuna Bosco I came straight to (International Training Institute) ITI to do a one-year diploma in management and then I went back to East New Britain.

"I worked a little bit and then I wanted to play rugby league, my initial thought was I would make the Zone Trials and maybe the Gurias, but I was shocked when Coach Paul Aiton texted me and told me, I had a spot in the preseason.

"I called my mum first to tell her the good news, she has been my biggest supporter," Selu added

He made the final cut of 30 and is hopeful he can make it into the starting lineup, he has been impressive in training and in a few trial matches against Digicel ExxonMobil Cup teams.

He consistently talks and organizes play in opposed sessions in training and is learning all he can from the senior players.

"All the Coaching staff were very helpful during pre-season and senior players like Ila Alu, Brendon Nima, and Jamie Mavoko were very helpful, I also have good communication with Watson Boas, they all helped during the preseason," Selu mentioned

He added that Jamie Mavoko was helpful as a senior halfback and the both of them playing together in trial matches in preseason helped his game greatly.

"Jamie has taught me a lot playing with him, doing the little things right, putting the plays right, letting him be in control, and doing what I can do best," Selu said.

Being a half and watching the Boas Brothers ply their trade in the Gurias, charted the course for the young half-back to aim for more in his rugby league career.

"Ase and Watson Boas are my role models, back then they were playing for the Gurias and I was at the royals, and they were with us and teaching us, and we wanted to follow that pathway they set," Selu said

Former Hunters Coach and Kumuls Coach Governor for East New Britain Micahel Marum has been a mentor to the Rabaul Panthers and Zachariah says he always pushes the players in the Panthers to build their performance at club level.

"Michael Marum is like a mentor to the team, he is usually hard on the boys, and he likes building up people, the young boys.

"He expects more from the boys back at home, as any other Coach when he comes over and watches a game he sits and watches and observes the game and when he needs to, he comes in with his input," Selu added.

Young Zachariah Selu is yet to break into the starting lineup but he has shown great potential to get this far in preseason and says this opportunity has greatly improved his game as he looks forward to a debut in the Hotplus Cup.