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Christchurch team could be as big as Warriors: Isaako

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Jamayne Isaako of the Kiwis scores a try in the tackle of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow of Australia during the Men's Pacific Championships match between New Zealand Kiwis and Australian Kangaroos at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch, Sunday, October 27, 2024. (AAP Image/John Davidson, via Photosport)

Jamayne Isaako believes an NRL team in Christchurch could grow to the same levels of popularity as the booming Warriors in Auckland.

The NRL last week rejected three separate bids from New Zealand’s South Island among eight that were unsuccessful in the latest round of expansion applications.

But to players from the area, the Pacific Championships clash between New Zealand and Australia on Sunday was the latest reminder of the game’s potential in Christchurch.

While Christchurch has long been synonymous with Super Rugby powerhouse the Crusaders, some 17,005 fans packed into Apollo Projects Stadium for the Kangaroos’ first visit since 1989.

The last three NRL games played at the ground have also pulled crowds above 17,000, while construction on a 30,000-seat stadium in the Christchurch CBD is set to be completed in 2026 as another boon for sport in the area.

Teams from Perth and PNG remain the favourites to enter the NRL as the 18th and 19th teams in coming years.

But in his role heading up Christchurch’s leading bid the South Island Kea, ex-NRL chief executive David Moffett told Nine Newspapers this week he was committed to revisiting the push for inclusion in the NRL.

Players hailing from the area were hopeful Christchurch would be considered in plans to expand to 20 teams in the next decade.

“I definitely think that they’re ready for a team to be blooded here in Christchurch or in the South Island, wherever it is, that they look to bring another team in,” Dolphins winger Isaako said after playing in New Zealand’s 22-10 defeat by Australia.

“It was good to see the passion of the Cantabrians when it comes to rugby league.”

For further evidence of rugby league’s growth potential in New Zealand, Isaako pointed to the Warriors’ spike in popularity since their homecoming after COVID-19 restrictions eased.

The Auckland side became a national phenomenon en route to a preliminary final in 2023 and sold out every home game this season for the first time in any of their 30 years in the league.

“You see the fanbase that turn out for the Warriors. We could certainly have that here in the South Island if there was a team brought here,” said Isaako.

“Rugby league certainly is a game that’s growing here in New Zealand. If we could bring another team to New Zealand, it’d only add to that.”

Local product Jordan Riki knows first-hand of rugby league’s growth in Christchurch. The Brisbane second-rower’s mother Janelle sits on the board of the Canterbury Rugby League.

“I talk to her pretty much nearly every day and she’s been telling me about some cool plans that have been coming through for Canterbury Rugby League and South Island rugby league,” he said.

“It’s awesome to see that it’s growing down here.”

Written by: Jasper Bruce © AAP 2024

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Similar paths, but halves are now meeting expectations

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Luke Brooks has revealed he will go into his halves pairing with Lachlan Galvin cold, having only just met despite the pair’s similar paths at Wests Tigers.

Brooks will play his first representative game in almost 10 years for the Prime Minister’s XIII against Papua New Guinea on Sunday, with Galvin alongside him.

On the surface the careers of Brooks and Galvin appear tightly entwined, and in another world they could have been the Tigers’ long-term halves pairing.

Galvin’s debut this year at Wests Tigers was the most hyped of any player at the club since Brooks’ in 2013, when he was labelled by critics as the next Andrew Johns.

Brooks battled under that spotlight, enduring almost a decade of being a punching bag for Tigers fans, before eventually leaving for Manly at the end of 2023.

His exit allowed Galvin to be picked out of SG Ball for round one this year, without ever having played a senior game.

Halves
Lachlan Galvin of the Tigers runs with the ball during the NRL Round 24 match between the Wests Tigers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Campbelltown Stadium Saturday, August 17, 2024. (AAP Image/MARK EVANS)

Galvin subsequently starred, was named the Rugby League Players Association’s rookie of the year, and would likely have won the same award at the Dally Ms if not ineligible due to a suspension.

But despite those paths, Brooks said he and Galvin had only met for the first time at a sizing day last week, and never trained together at the Tigers.

“I actually don’t know him too well,” Brooks said ahead of Sunday’s clash in Port Moresby. 

“I didn’t meet him when I was at the Tigers, but I did meet him (last Wednesday).

“I don’t think he played 20s, so we didn’t have anything to do with each other.

“But it’s exciting. I haven’t been over there (PNG), but I’ve heard it’s a crazy experience, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Regardless, Brooks said he had been impressed by the way Galvin had handled the spotlight this year at age 19.

“It’s tough to be in your rookie year in that sort of situation, but he really stood out in that side and I thought he was great,” Brooks said. 

“He’s an attacking weapon. 

“The one thing I noticed when we played against him was just how busy he was. He was moving around the whole field and getting his hands on the ball. 

“He’s always looking to create something, so for him to be able to do that at such a young age is pretty special.”

Brooks admitted he thought the chance to wear a green-and-gold jersey had passed him by, and was surprised by the call-up to the PM’s XIII.

He will be one of the senior players in an inexperienced side, with Damien Cook to captain and Brad Fittler coaching.

Written by: Scott Bailey © AAP

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Yemini Pursues Kumuls Dream

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Timon Yemeni

BRISBANE, Australia – Timon Yemini is a rising star of Papua New Guinea rugby league.

A young prospect carving his own path in the rugby league scene in Brisbane, Australia.

It is on the field that Yemini shines as the lock forward for Carina Tigers, a local club in the Brisbane Rugby League Competition.

Now 23, the Carina Tigers lock forward stands 180cm and tips the scale at 102kg; and with some serious pedigree in the sport, has begun to make some noise on the local rugby league scene in the game he so dearly loves.

In 2023, Yemini took to the field with the Kokomo Nines representing Papua New Guinea in the annual Queensland Pacific Cup which they won.

He impressed enough to earn a two-year rugby league contract with the Carina Tigers in the Brisbane Rugby League competition.

As the accomplishments stack up for Yemini, he’s inching closer to realizing his ultimate dream of playing for the Papua New Guinea Kumuls.

As a young boy growing up in Kaundaka village, Upper Mendi in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea, Yemini has drawn inspiration from Kumuls players such as Wellington Albert to motivate him in his rugby league journey.

It was in Mendi that Yemini developed his love for the game we call rugby league.

From 2014 to 2017, the schoolboys rugby league competition in Mendi provided the exposure that Yemini needed to kick start his rugby league career.

And in 2019, Yemini impressed selectors during the Ipatas cup and was signed by Hela Wigmen but had to put on hold his rugby to complete his year 12 studies in 2021.

Yemini’s talents were sought after by rugby league franchises in Papua New Guinea who were eagerly awaiting his return to the field.

The young Kaundaka man did not disappoint the selectors with his performance in the Southern Highlands Provincial 9s rugby league competition while playing with the TNT Brothers in Mendi.

In 2021, Yemini was scouted by the Enga Mioks rugby league club and made his debut in the Digicel cup.

His rise in the national rugby league competition would see him play for the Port Moresby Vipers in 2022 for three months before moving to Brisbane.

The journey may be long but Yemini is putting in the work with the Carina Tigers and is determined to be eligible for the Papua New Guinea Kumuls in the coming years.

Written by: Mickey Kavera (Contributor)

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Premiership window wide open: Roosters skipper Tedesco

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James Tedesco wearing a Rooster Jersey standing with his arms crossed in front of the Sydney Opera House.

James Tedesco has laughed off suggestions the Sydney Roosters’ premiership window is closing as the side uses its imminent exodus as motivation this NRL finals series.

The Roosters will lose around 900 games and eight premierships worth of first-grade experience when they farewell Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Luke Keary and Sitili Tupouniua this summer.

36-year-old centre Michael Jennings, the NRL’s oldest player, and third-string hooker Zach Dockar-Clay could join that list given neither holds a contract for 2025.

The changes will force the Tricolours to nominate two new first-choice centres, bank on Sandon Smith as Sam Walker’s full-time halves partner and find a new forward pack leader as the influential Waerea-Hargreaves heads to England.

But their ability to contend with on-field reconfigurations will be under the microscope even before then as Walker and Brandon Smith miss the play-offs, starting with Friday’s qualifying final against Penrith.

The Roosters were hot-and-cold beating lowly South Sydney in their first game without the injured pair and Victor Radley, sidelined with a shoulder issue.

James Tedesco of the Roosters makes a break during the NRL Round 27 match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium.
James Tedesco of the Roosters makes a break during the NRL Round 27 match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium Friday, September 6, 2024. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

“‘Rads’ is still confident that he can be back during the finals some time, we’ve just got to see how it’s healing,” said Roosters captain Tedesco.

“The other two boys are doing it tough but they’re still in good spirits so that’s good.”

The Roosters have made finals in 11 of the last 12 seasons and Tedesco is adamant that even after Keary and co. left, their premiership window would not close.

“No, not at all,” he said laughing.

“(The window) is closing on their time at the Roosters and we want to make the most of that for those guys leaving.”

It nevertheless feels like the end of an era for Tedesco, who played alongside the departing Keary, Waerea-Hargreaves and Manu in the Roosters’ 2018 and 2019 premiership seasons.

Mark Nawaqanitawase’s stunning NRL debut against Souths will have assured the Roosters the ex-Wallaby can become a bonafide starter in the backline next year, while Sandon Smith has the chance to prove himself as an NRL-calibre half replacing Walker this finals series.

Nevertheless, Tedesco admitted it would be difficult for the Roosters to replace their outgoing brigade.

“The guys that are leaving at the end of the year are so big for our club, have been legends of our club now for a number of years now. It is sad to see a lot of those guys go,” he said.

“You can’t just replace guys like that but we’ve talked about that amongst ourselves and at the club that this is a great opportunity for us.

“We won’t be able to play with these guys again (after finals).

“We won’t leave any stone unturned, just go all in at training and away from training and make sure we’re as prepared as we can for Friday.”

WRITTEN BY: Jasper Bruce (AAP)

PHOTO FILE: (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi) AAP ©

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First ever Women’s National Rugby League Competition to kick-off in July

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PNG Women's National Rugby League players wearing red black and gold team attire

To ensure the growth of rugby league in Papua New Guinea, the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition or PNGNRLC is introducing a women’s national competition.

The competition will be led by six participating franchises.

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 are ensuring a strong and vibrant women’s competition takes place in Papua New Guinea.

The expansion of the Competition to include the women and juniors is part of the PNGNRLC five-year plan (2023 to 2027).

An ecstatic Chief Executive Officer of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League, Stanley Hondina after making the announcement said the first premier women’s competition in PNG will be launched soon.

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

The competition is slated for kickoff in July this year.

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 five-year strategic plan (2023 – 2027).

In supporting the realization of the Women’s Competition the Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited has committed to giving K15 million over five years to the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League.

The funding package will run from 2024 through to 2028 and part of this funding will go towards boosting the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup and the new Women’s Competition.

KMHL made a cheque presentation of the first K3 million to the CEO and Directors of the PNGRFL in Port Moresby last week Friday; 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.

CEO of PNGRFL Stanley Hondina says that the funding was timely and would provide the seed funding for the Women’s Competition to get 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

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

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SP PNG Hunters Ready for Round Six

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SP PNG Hunters

After five rounds the SP PNG Hunters are two from two and a bye, this puts them at 10th spot on the Hotplus Cup Ladder.

The Hunters have only two wins at home, with two loses away in Queensland Australia, they have the opportunity to keep the wining streak going at home, but it wont be easy this weekend in round 6 of the Hotplus Cup.

The Hunters face the Redcliff Dolphins at the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday the 20th of March 2024.

The Dolphins have been on a roll with a four from one record placing them on 2nd place after 5 rounds.

The Hunters poor defense and discipline has been a concern, but Coach Paul Aiton says the team is looking to keep a clean record at home.

The Hunters were hard at training this week perfecting their techniques in defense, Aiton said it was all about mindset for the team to get themselves in order.

“We have a good tackling technique we worked on it at preseason, we haven’t been disciplined on our technique.

“We have reduced our penalty count every week, the technique is alright I think it is all about mindset, As Coach Enock Maki says defense is about effort I think it is all about our effort,” Aiton said.

Saturday will also see the return of Jamie Mavoko who replaces Sakias Komati, Mavoko has been nursing an injury and as an experienced half-back is a welcome addition to the team, Valentine Richard and Robert Mathias both make their return to the side also.

For the Hunters that are not in the team this week, those that are signed to Digicel ExxonMobil Cup teams will play for their respective clubs.

But Paul Aiton says there are a couple of injuries that players are nursing and not all players are expected to play in the Digicel Cup, he added that priority should be the Hunters and not all players will be allowed to play in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.

“We are very selective and cant let everyone play, even though we want them to get match fitness, because its the best fitness you can get, we got to be very selective on who gets to play.

“We would like for them all to go back and play to get match fitness on timing and defense but its quite risky, we have to hold back on some players,” Aiton said

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Daly Cherry-Evans Headline Aust PM’s XIII

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PM's XIII

The Australian Rugby League Commission and the Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese, MP has announced the Australian Men’s and Women’s Prime Minister XIII squads to take on PNG PM’s XIII teams at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, on Saturday, September 23rd.

The Men’s Prime Minister’s XIII will include eight representatives from the 2022 World Cup winning Kangaroo squad, for the first Prime Ministers XIII encounter in PNG since 2018.

The Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII has been selected with a view to giving some of the best up and coming players in the NRLW an opportunity alongside a number of established representative players including Kennedy Cherrington, Botille Vette-Welsh and Tallisha Harden.

“Being Prime Minister is a great honor. I enjoy every part of the job, but a fun part is getting to pick the PM’s XIII sides,” Prime Minister Albanese said.

“These contests represent far more than just a couple of games of footy. Papua New Guinea and  Australia are the closest of neighbors and we are the best of friends. We are working together to build a more prosperous stable and peaceful region. Rugby League is an opportunity to celebrate our friendship and strength in our partnership.

“I’m really looking forward to Cam and Tallisha leading out their teams in Port Moresby, and know the contest will be great for the game, a thrill for the players selected and another important step forward for our region.”

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys AM congratulated all players on their selection in a special team.

“These players have performed exceptionally well throughout the season and have earned the chance to wear the Green and Gold for Australia,” Mr V’landys said.

“I congratulate the players selected for both teams as to represent your country is the ultimate achievement. It’s also an inspiration for fans in Australia and of course the fans in PNG, where Rugby League means so much.”

Australian Men’s PM’s XIII Coach Mal Meninga said the match would provide a selection guide ahead of the first ever Pacific Championships across October and November.

“This squad is a blend of experience from the World Cup last year, additional State of Origin players from this year, as well as younger players who would like who we would like to see at this level,” Meninga said.

“There was fairly unanimous agreement across the selections and I can’t wait to see this group test themselves in the green and gold.”

Australian Women’s PM’s XIII Coach Brad Donald said the PM’s XIII would provide opportunities for the players to both further their representative aspirations as well as experience something quite unique.

“It’s a really well-balanced team featuring some of our First Nations Gems players, emerging talent in the NRLW competition and a handful of Jillaroos representatives who will be the key leaders,” Donald said.

The PM’s XIII concept is aimed at using rugby league to drive social awareness messages. This year’s event will also see the introduction of the Australian school boys and girls taking on our Junior Kumuls and Orchids respectively, with support from the Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and trade and the NRL.

The 2023 Australian. Men’s Prime Minister XIII is as follows (alphabetical order).

Josh Addo-Carr                                Bulldogs

Daly Cherry-Evans (VC)                  Sea-Eagles

Reuben Cotter                                 Cowboys

Tom Dearden                                   Cowboys

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui                       Titans

Emre Guler                                       Raiders

Ben Hunt                                           Dragons

Nicho Hynes                                     Sharks

Alofiana Khan-Pereira                    Titans

Zac Lomax                                         Dragons

Cameron McInnes                          Sharks

Cameron Murray ©                        Rabbitohs

Reece Robson                                  Cowboys

Tyrell Sloan                                       Dragons

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow                    Dolphins

Murray Taulagi                                Cowboys

Jake Trbojevic                                  Sea Eagles

Cody Walker                                     Rabbitohs

Hudson Young                                 Raiders

The 2023 Australian Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII is as follows (alphabetical order):

Teagan Berry Dragons

Kennedy Cherrington (VC)            Eels

Rueben Cherrington                       Eels

Abbey Church                                  Eels

Keisha-Leigh Coolwell                    Broncos

Quincy Dodd                                    Sharks

Kayla Fleming                                   First Nations Gems

Tallisha Harden ©                          Cowboys

Kimberly Hunt                                 Eels

Emma Manzelmann                       Cowboys

Jasmin Morrissey                            First Nations Gems

Rachel Pearson                                Eels

Christian Pio                                     Tigers

China Polata                                     Cowboys

Tiana Raftstrand-Smith                 Cowboys

Taneka Todhunter                           Eels

Casey Tohi-Hiku                               Eels

Botille Vette-Welsh                        Tigers

Jakiya Whitfield                               Tigers

Janelle Williams                              Raiders

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Hunters lose to Tigers in first home game of 2023 season

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The SP PNG Hunters were handed their first loss of the 2023 Hotplus Cup season in front of their home crowd at the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday.

Hunters took an early lead 20 minutes into the match but were playing catchup towards the back-end of the game.

In a similar fashion to last weekend’s clash against the Souths Logan Magpies, the Hunters fell short in their try conversions.

Despite having scored seven tries on the day, they managed only four out of seven kick conversions.

Their opponents, the Brisbane Tigers, managed six tries and converted five out of six while an additional two penalty conversions helped them to a 38-36 victory against the Hunters.

It was a valiant effort at best.

Despite the high scoring match, Hunters started with 12 men in the opening 12 minutes after a sin bin to Sherwin Tanabi; and towards the end of the first half, Sakias Komati was given 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Both men penalized for a professional foul.

The Hunters scored first in the 5th minute through Solo Wane, but a missed conversion by Sakias Komati held the hunters at 4-0.

The Brisbane Tigers replied through a four pointer from Brayden Torpy, a successful kick conversion got the tigers in front 6-4.

The Hunters snatched back the lead in the 18th minute through fullback Morea Morea his conversion from the kick stretched their lead to 10-6.

Two more tries to Brandon Nima and Julius Yakopa and a failed conversion by Morea Morea left the scores at 18-6 in favor of the Hunters.

Tigers Max Lehmann scored in the 34th minute, a successful conversion bought the score to 18-12 Tigers,.

Tristan Hope’s converted try in the 37th minute tied the score at 18-18 before a Tigers penalty conversion took the lead from the Hunters 20-18 in to the half time break.

Both teams took charge in the second half exchanging tries at each end of the field. George Jennings opened the scoring in the second half for the Tigers with an unconverted try for a 24-18 lead.

Morea Morea scored his second try in the 51st minute this time a successful conversion by Morea leveling the scores at 24 all.

Max Lehmann scored his second converted try and the Tigers again took the lead 30-24 in the 64th minute.

A converted try by Captain Ila Alu in the 68th minute once again levelled the scores 30-30.

Max Lehmann with his hat trick converted try in the 71st minute snatched back the lead for the Tigers 36-30, a penalty conversation by Tristan Hope in the 76th minute extended the teams lead to 38-30.

With just over a minute to go before full time Morea Morea unleashed another individual brilliant effort, breaking through unscathed for the hunters final try; his hat trick met with a standing ovation but despite his kick conversion the team fell short by two points ending the match 38-36.

The Hunters going down 38-36 to the Brisbane Tigers.

In his post match interview, Hunters Coach Stanley Tepend, described the match as high scoring however, admitting that the hunters had a problem one the defense and conversions.

“It was a high scoring match but the Hunters managed to play right through to the end, but we still have a lot of work to do we still need to tighten up in defense and discipline as well.

“We played with 12 men in the first half and towards the second half; we have a bye next week and we can regroup, but I will bring the loss down to discipline, we are playing well, we were looking sharp but we need to tidy up our discipline,” Tepend said.

Depite an early awareness by supporters on the shorfalls in goal kicking, Tepend says his goal kickers need more practice.

“Goal kicking and errors, we need to spend more time on it in training, we have been scoring tries enough for a win but we need to work on our discipline,” Tepend said.

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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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