The Oceania Rugby Executive Board has issued a Notice of Determination to PNG Rugby Union after several failings by the governing body to comply with orders imposed by the Regional Association of World Rugby.
The Oceania Rugby Executive Board, having received a Report from the Independent Inquiry it had instigated, were left with no choice but to suspend the membership of PNG Rugby for non-compliance with the Notice of Orders issued by Oceania Rugby in July.
The suspension comes after months of dialogue between Oceania Rugby and PNG Rugby on concerns raised by numerous stakeholders, including Provincial Unions, regarding the conduct of the board and management. Consideration was also attributed to the failure of PNG Rugby to attend the first round of the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championships in Brisbane earlier this year, as well as the Olympic Sevens repechage qualification tournament in June. The suspension entails loss of Voting rights for the PNG Rugby Union and prevention from participation in Oceania Rugby competitions and development programs as well as deferral of funding.
Oceania Rugby General Manager,Frank Puletua: “As a result of non-compliance to the Notice of Orders issued by Oceania Rugby in July, the Executive Board have had to make the difficult decision today to suspend the membership of Papua New Guinea Rugby Union, effective immediately. Whilst this decision is one that we do not take lightly, it has been determined with the interests of all stakeholders involved with PNG Rugby in mind.
I am confident that PNG will be in a position to activate its true potential on the national and world rugby stage in the not-too-distant future, and the Executive Board remain committed to supporting PNG Rugby in its endeavours to being recognised as a full member of Oceania Rugby again.”