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Motherhood and Rugby League

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After finding out she was going to be a mother last year, Sera Koroi’s hopes of playing for PNG in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup were gone.

However, when the tournament was postponed to 2022, it turned out to be a blessing for the New Irelander as she was selected for the Orchids, and her baby is now a year old.  

“His first birthday was just a week ago. It was pretty hard (being away) but he won’t remember it when he gets older and that puts my mind at ease and it will be a big celebration when I go back,” Koroi said.

The 20-year-old, PNG-Fijian was a standout for the Orchids in their last two matches playing at Five-Eight.

A natural ball runner, whose tackle-busting runs are now highlighted in countless social media posts shared especially by PNG women.

When asked about her thoughts on Women’s Rugby League in PNG, she said it is reflected in the success of the Orchids.

 From losing all their matches in the 2017 World Cup to now being a win away from securing a spot in the 2021 World Cup Grand Final.

She also spoke of how the Orchids’ success can inspire the younger generation in PNG, especially young women who are chasing their dreams of having a professional career as well as starting a family.

“We have so many mums here, daughters, sisters, and wives – and it inspires (us) the younger generation to chase our dreams,” she said.

Meanwhile, PNG will line up against host nation England in their final pool match this Thursday.

The Orchids are outside favorites but Coach Ben Jeffries believes they can be a force if they stick to their brand of footy.

“We are putting our best team forward to face England. We are here to compete,” Jeffries said.

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Sport

SP Brewery Snags Plate in Corporate Bowling

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South Pacific Brewery had an impressive finish during the recently held Corporate Bowls challenge by claiming the Plate shield.

SP Brewery beat an experienced Lae Medical Services side, 18 points to 6 to claim the title.

The team attributed the victory to the spirit of “brewing the joy of true togetherness”.

“We played as a team and our team spirit was always on point therefore, we won despite being a newcomer to the competition,” says SPB staff and player Nellie Sikat.

“Almost every one of us on the team did not know much about bowling, but we gradually learn in the process of playing.”

A total of 16 corporate companies participated in the seven week challenge.

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Rugby League

Orchids Name World-Cup Squad

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PNGRFL has officially announced the 23-Woman Squad of the Santos PNG Orchids for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

PNG-Based players and staff will depart for Brisbane tomorrow (Monday 10th) to join the Australian-based players before they travel to England on Wednesday (12th).

Coach Ben Jeffries said the recent Prime Minister’s XIII loss to Australia has provided valuable indicators the team must work on leading into the World Cup.

“The learnings we took out of PM’s XIII were that we need to focus on both attack and defence, and the defensive components will intensify once we get to the UK,” Jeffries said.

The Orchids will play a warm-up match against English Women’s Grand Finalists York City Knights on the 20th before their opening pool match against Canada on the 1st of November.

“Our pre-tournament camp in England will allow us to acclimatize, bond, play a trial game and work hard on the aspects we need to focus on to ensure we’re ready for the tournament,” Jeffries said.

The Orchids will line up against Canada on the 1st of November, Brazil on the 5th, and England on the 9th of November.  

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Rugby League

Tepend Clears Air on Segeyaro

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Kumuls Coach Stanley Tepend has cleared the air on rejected Kumuls Hooker James Segeyaro saying the reason for him missing out on selection was based on the current form of players that can cover the hooker and utility position in the 24-man squad.  

Tepend said it is important for the Kumuls to build a winning combination from the Pacific Test and it was important to pick the best team for the World Cup.

“We can only pick limited players in certain positions,”

“As a team, I think we’ve picked the best that we can considering the factors, injuries and all those sorts of stuff,” Tepend said.

A dejected Segeyaro took to social media last week after Tepend told him he would not be part of the Kumuls World Cup campaign.

“I felt like I had done enough to make the side. Fighting back into an NRL system, being fortunate enough to play for Manly this year alongside some of the best in the game and spend the full season playing my heart out for Blackdown,” Segeyaro said in an Instagram post.

PNG fans also took to social media, calling on the PNGRFL to reconsider the decision on Segeyaro saying his experience is what the Kumuls need for the tournament.

This is not the first controversial selection case for Segeyaro. In 2015, Segeyaro said in a TV interview that he would never play for the Kumuls again after he claimed his father, the late Iffysoe Segeyaro was not given the respect he deserved from PNG Rugby League.

However, he would make amends and won back the support from PNG when he starred in the 2017 World Cup. Since then, off-field incidents have kept him out of the NRL until this year when he was called in to play for Manly in Round 20.

Coach Tepend says there will always be respect for James Segeyaro and what he has done for the Kumuls jersey, adding Segeyaro will be considered for future representative duties.

“We haven’t closed the door on James for future games,”

“We respect him and what he’s done for Kumuls in the past,” Tepend said.

Meanwhile, Betfred Champions Player of the Year, Edwin Ipape, is expected to wear the number 9 jersey when the Kumuls take on 2nd placed Tonga on the 19th.

Ipape finished off a wonderful season, helping his team to a victory in the Betfred Champions Grand-Final and securing a spot in the Super League.

Hunters Hooker Wesser Tenza on the other hand has been consistent in the Hostplus Cup for the PNG Hunters, however, Watson Boas will most likely fill the utility role.

“It sucks, I’m disappointed – gutted actually. But I’m still going to be cheering for the boys from home nonetheless,” Segeyaro said.

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Rugby League

Kumuls World Cup Squad Announced

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Kumuls Coach Stanley Tepend has named his 24-man squad to travel to the United Kingdom this Friday ahead of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.

The 24-man squad has 7 players from the 2017 World Cup, who will add the needed experience when PNG takes on Tonga, who is currently ranked 2nd in the Rugby League World.

Coach Tepend says confidence is high heading into the World Cup because of the in-form players they have on the roster.

Alex Johnston is a certain start at fullback with high-flying Xavier Coats and speed man Jimmy Ngutlik on the wings. The centre pairing of Justin Olam and Nene McDonald will be a strike weapon for the Kumuls.

Following the success of the Pacific Test, Coach Tepend will likely stick to Lachlan Lam and Kyle Laybutt to steer the attack with Watson Boas as the backup. Edwin Ipape and Wesser Tenza will share the dummy-half duties while Dan Russel, Nixon Putt, McKenzie Yei and Wellington Albert to lead the forward pack.

With the Australian-based players arriving last Saturday in Port Moresby, the team will link up with the UK-based players before their opening pool match on the 19th.

Rhyse Martin is likely to be named Captain.

The 24-Man PNG Kumuls Squad;

Wellington Albert (London Broncos)

Jacob Alick (Gold Coast Titans)

Kevin Appo (PNG Hunters)

Watson Boas (Doncaster)

Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)

Edene Gebbie (Townsville Blackhawks)

Edwin Ipape (Leigh Centurions)

Zev John (CQ Capras)

Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Lachlan Lam (Leigh Centurions)

Kyle Laybutt (Townsville Blackhawks)

Nene McDonald (Leigh Centurions)

Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos)

Sylvester Namo (PNG Hunters)

Jimmy Ngutlik (Western Suburbs Magpies)

Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm)

Nixon Putt (CQ Capras)

Daniel Russel (Brisbane Tigers)

Jeremiah Simbiken (Redcliffe Dolphins)

Rodrick Tai (PNG Hunters)

Sherwin Tanabi (PNG Hunters)

Wesser Tenza (PNG Hunters)

Emmanuel Waine (PNG Hunters)

McKenzie Yei (CQ Capras)  

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News

PNG Sports Media Ready To Assist Solomon Islands in 2023

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Papua New Guinea Sports Media Association (PNGSMA) is prepared to assist the Solomon Islands with its Media & Communications Plan for the 2023 Pacific Games. 

PNG SMA President Peter Sevara Jr said the onus is on PNG to ensure the “Happy Isles” obtain the best from their aspirations.

“Both countries continue to benefit from Government to Government relations over the years and it is no different this time around.”

“While Team PNG will also come to compete, the onus is on PNG to ensure their experiences of hosting big games will come in handy to assist the Solomon Islands to achieve a successful outcome,” Sevara said.

The President and PNGSMA Secretary Isaac Liri are both attending the Pacific Sports Media Dialogue in Honiara in conjunction with the 6th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit from the 26th to the 30th of this month.

The Pacific Sports Media dialogue hosted by the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) has been assisting PNG and four other Pacific Islands to set up its Sports Journalist Association over the past five years.

“Collaboration throughout the Pacific region is what we need and I believe we have enough capacity to reach out to our brothers and sisters to offer them a hand in building their preparedness.”

“We are only as good as those around us so in true Pacific fashion let’s support each other because we understand each other more,” Sevara added.

Sevara said the current Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Ministers Cup hosted in Vanuatu is an example of the region coming together to build awareness of our capacity and foster mutual relationships.

The meet was graced by Koroi Hawkins, a part Solomon Islander and Fijian who was employed by Radio New Zealand International straight out of Solomon Islands.

Hawkins shared that news from our region has always been negative but said sports reporters in the pacific can change that.

He added that the opportunity to use their sport writing skills to change negative perceptions of our region lies on their shoulders because, in world news, pacific sports news travels faster and further throughout the world than any other news genre.

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Rugby

Lae Biscuit Morobe Hammerheads.

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The name Lae Biscuit Company is associated with Lae Snax Tigers and Lae City FC when it comes to sports.

But in a first of its kind, the Lae Biscuit Company today announced its K50, 000 plus the backing of the Morobe Hammerhead as well as securing the naming rights.


The Hammerheads will now be known as the Lae Biscuit Morobe Hammerheads as they head out for their first outing under the Lae Biscuit Company next weekend in Port Moresby.


Lae Biscuit Company Country Sales and Marketing Manager Jeff Lung announced the sponsorship today in Lae in the presence of the Morobe Hammerheads led by Morobe Rugby Union President Lionel Kamiak.

Mr Lung said the company will accommodate the team for the duration of the tournament as well as provide incentives of Snax biscuits and Snax noodles to the team for the duration of the tournament in Port Moresby.


He said whilst the team is still in Lae they will be given access to the Company gym as well.


The company has maintained its belief in creating and supporting the community by providing assistance to community projects, events, sporting events, and disaster relief.

Mr Lung said Lae Biscuit will always strive to give back to the community.

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Sport

PNG Games Recalled

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THE PNG Games Council has unanimously agreed to recall the 8th PNG Games from the Host Organizing Committee Mendi, Southern Highlands Province with reference to Clause 8.9.1 of the PNG Games charter which empowers the Council to monitor and evaluate games preparations and recall rights to host.

This decision was reached after the presentation of the Sports Technical Advisory Committee venue inspection report which was conducted in Mendi on 26-29 June, 2022.

The main concern raised  during the visit was the pace of the  construction of the games facilities, and the number of completed venues that are ready for sports competitions by the end of this year. The STAC concluded that the venues will not be ready by November for SHP to stage the Games.

After much deliberation, the Executive Committee made the following recommendations to the PNG Games Council for their endorsement;

  1. That the SHP Provincial Government won the bid in 2015 and the venues preparation have fallen behind schedule for Games delivery in 2022. Therefore, the Council is to consider recalling the right to host the 8th PNG Games from HOC – SHP.
  2. That the Council will invite other provinces to express their readiness to host the 8th PNG Games as soon as practicable. The Executive Committee also proposed for the Council to consider NCD/Central Province to co-host the 8th PNG Games in NCD in June/July 2023 given the availability of world class venues in Port Moresby.
  3. The Council also recommended limiting the number of sports to 10 compulsory ones as captured in the PNG Games Charter. Other sports may be considered subject to the recommendation of the new hosts. The compulsory sports are:
    1. Athletics 
    1. Basketball
    1. Boxing’
    1. Touch Football
    1. Soccer’
    1. Powerlifting
    1. Rugby League Nines
    1. Touch
    1. Volleyball (Indoor)
    1. Netball

Meanwhile the PNG Sports Foundation has taken steps to work with HOC Mendi and SHP Government to complete the construction of all the facilities. The Executive Director Albert Veratau has expressed satisfaction that much has been achieved.

With the collaboration of key government departments including Department of National Planning & Monitoring and Departments of Treasury & Finance the state of the art facilities will be constructed in SHP. This decision relieves the pressure of HOC SHP and gives them sufficient time to complete the venues and be better prepared to stage the next PNG Games.

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Football

Kicks 4 Kokoda Program Holds Second Tournament

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Kicks 4 Kokoda

The delivery of the second Kicks 4 Kokoda Soccer Tournament is scheduled for August 20th and 21st in Kokoda Station and Buna Village in the Oro Province.

The K4K tournament is a community health event which involves students who have been trained over eight weeks by the Skillz coaches, community health workers and Team PNG HERO Athletes.

Team PNG HERO Athletes who will be delivering the tournament are Linda Pulsan (Powerlifting), Raphaela Baki (Boxing) Dianne Vetu (Touch), Basil Joffari and Roland Bala (Soccer), Dennis Kopman (Karate), Dia Muri (Basketball) and Steven Abraham (Para Athletics).

Steven is the new addition to the team delivering the program. He is a Silver and Bronze medallist from the recently held 2022 Pacific Mini Games in the 100m Ambulant and Javelin events respectively.

Similar to the first tournament in April of this year, the soccer tournament will conclude the second phase of the Skillz Coach Training under the K4K program.

Whilst championing female engagements, inclusivity and inspiring young children to take up sports, the tournament also embodies the Olympic Values of Excellence, Respect and Friendship, through the PNG Olympic Committee’s Olympic Values Education Program, and is led by PNGOC Programs Coordinator Rutha Omenefa and Team PNG HERO athletes who are trained to deliver this program.

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Sport

Team PNG to Arrive Home on Friday

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Team PNG

Team PNG will arrive back in the country at 5:10am on Friday morning (August 12) from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The contingent departed Birmingham on Wednesday, August 10 and will transit through France and Singapore and then to Port Moresby.

Team PNG
Team PNG departing Birmingham

Three members will go through Dubai and meet up with the rest of the contingent in Singapore for the final leg home.

The US based athletes of Team Papua New Guinea are already en-route back to their respective states.

While the swimming team have already arrived safely back in Brisbane, Australia.

The official welcome back function for Team Papua New Guinea will be held on Saturday, August 13 at the Taurama Aquatic Centre from 12pm-2pm in Port Moresby.

Team PNG finished 35th at the Games with one silver medal.

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