![]() The Papua New Guinea Rugby League (PNGRFL) CEO, Mr. Stanley Hondina together with the newly appointed Chairlady for the Santos PNG Orchids, Celestine Ove, in a press release, announced the 21-person squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships this October – November 2023. Papua New Guinea will participate with the PNG LNG Kumuls and the Santos PNG Orchids, playing matches in Port Moresby. The teams under Head Coaches Justin Holbrook of the PNG LNG Kumuls and Ben Jeffries of the Santos PNG Orchids, are set to field the best available athletes in the sport, competing at the highest possible level and also exposing talent having come through the existing PNGRFL pathways. Mr. Hondina shared, “With the excitement from the Prime Minister’s XIII and finally having international exhibition and test matches now returning to PNG, we are seeing the different levels of the pathway for our game highlight the ability of our pool of players from the various national championships and now the mentioned matches.” ![]() PNGRFL ANNOUNCES PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS SQUADS The Papua New Guinea Rugby League (PNGRFL) CEO, Mr. Stanley Hondina together with PNG LNG Kumuls Chairman, Wapu Sonk in a press release, announced the 21-person squads for the upcoming Pacific Championships this October – November 2023. Papua New Guinea will participate with the PNG LNG Kumuls and the Santos PNG Orchids, playing matches in Port Moresby. The teams under Head Coaches Justin Holbrook of the PNG LNG Kumuls and Ben Jeffries of the Santos PNG Orchids, are set to field the best available athletes in the sport, competing at the highest possible level and also exposing talent having come through the existing PNGRFL pathways. Mr. Hondina shared, “With the excitement from the Prime Minister’s XIII and finally having international exhibition and test matches now returning to PNG, we are seeing the different levels of the pathway for our game highlight the ability of our pool of players from the various national championships and now the mentioned matches.” ![]() 2023 Pacific Championships Schedule Week One – October 14-15
![]() The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) is very excited to announce the PM’s XIII annual rugby league fixture between PNG and Australia is back, and will be held in Port Moresby this month. The last time the PM’s XIII matches were held here in PNG was back in 2018 for both the Men and Women. CEO of PNGRFL, Stanley Hondina, in making the announcement said the PNGRFL were delighted to see the game back in PNG after 5 years, and fans will be treated to a massive weekend of rugby league come the 23rd and 24th of September. He said, “For the first time in the history of the PM’s XIII matches, there will be 12 teams playing 6 games over 2 days, something that’s never been done before and we look forward to welcoming all our fans over the two days.” The PM’s XIII concept is an initiative of both the PNG and Australian governments since 2005 and is aimed at using rugby league to drive social awareness messages. This year will see the introduction of the Australian school boys and girls taking on our Junior Kumuls and Orchids respectively, thanks to the Australian government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the NRL. The Papua New Guinea Kumuls coach Stanley Tepend has announced his team lineup to face Wales in the final round of the Rugby World Cup.
PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls flyers Edene Gebbie and Xavier Coates have been ruled for the remainder of the Rugby League World Cup due to injury, with coach Stanley Tepend calling it “devastating” news.
“To have a players go down in any squad is devastating news for any coach,” he said. “Having received the results from the MRI scans, a decision has been made that is in the best interest of the injured players, that they return home to start their rehabilitation. ![]() The Papua New Guinea Kumuls team have arrived in the United Kingdom. The Rugby League World kicks off this weekend with the opening watches that will see England taking on Samoa and Australia plays Fiji on Saturday 15th, October, 2022. ![]() The Papua Guinea Kumuls squad pay their respects to the late great Kato Ben Otto #269. Mrs Ottio welcomed the team into her home and addressed them before their departure to the World Cup. THE Papua New Guinea Kumuls camp in Port Moresby aims to establish a strong connection between the players, local fans and the country before the Rugby League World Cup, coach Stanley Tepend says.
“The players needed to feel a sense of ownership of the team. It’s important that they see the country is behind them, and to be seen off by our fans in person means that when they play, they can relate directly to it,” Tepend said. He said some players in his 24-man squad have not visited the country for a number of years. ![]() NATIONAL Rugby League’s prolific try scorer and South Sydney Rabbitohs flyer Alex Johnston, along with Melbourne Storm duo Justin Olam and Xavier Coates, will spearhead the Kumuls backline in the upcoming Rugby League World Cup campaign in England. Johnston arrived in Port Moresby on Monday afternoon to join the Kumuls camp, a few hours after Kumuls coach Stanley Tepend officially named his 24-man squad for the World Cup campaign from Oct 15-Nov 19 in England. The Kumul No.294 was named at fullback and is one of only three players with NRL experience, along with Storm powerhouse centre Olam and Queensland State of Origin winger Coates. The NRL aces are primed to be a threat to other nations in the world cup along with Leigh Centurions trio Nene MacDonald, Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam. Their experience will boost the Kumuls backline. “Most of the guys picked have played (together) before,” Tepend said. “I think the important thing is the spine. Johnston, Kyle Laybutt, Coates and Ipape have been in top form. They will naturally lead the team on game days. “Olam is one of the best centres in the world. So they’ll lead and naturally they should inspire.” The Rabbitohs winger who qualifies for the Kumuls through a PNG-born grandmother, made his Test debut in 2019 against the Great Britain Lions at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. |
Papua New Guinea Kumuls Breaking News & Match Reports and highligntsRugby League News by CategoryBringing all the latest rugby league news in PNG. If you want to contribute to this site with articles relating to sports please contact us here Pacific BowlPNG LNG Kumuls 22 Fiji Bati 10
PNG LNG Kumuls Cook Islands World CupPM'S XIIIDowner Rugby League 9s World Cup- PNG Kumuls 0 Australia 26
- PNG Kumuls 18 New Zealand Kiwis 18 - PNG Kumuls 23 USA Tomahawks 10 Pacific Test Results2019 - PNG Kumuls 28 Great Britain Lions 10
2019 - Fiji Bati 22 PNG Kumuls 20 2019 - PNG Kumls 6 Samoa 24 2018 - PNG Kumuls 26 Fiji Bati 14 2017 - PNG Kumuls 32 Cook Islands 22 2016 - PNG Kumuls 24 Fiji Bati 22 2015- Fiji Bati 22 PNG Kumuls 22 World Cup Results
Round 1 : PNG Kumuls 50 Wales 6 Round 2: PNG Kumuls 14 Ireland 6 Round 3 PNG Kumuls 64 USA 0 Quarter Finals : PNG Kumuls 6 England 36
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