Vanuatu’s first women’s rugby league team already winners, says manager
Vanuatu’s first-ever rugby league team in the women’s category will add to the excitement building in Honiara for the 2023 Pacific Games, with Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) founding member and team manager of
‘Our players deserve better opportunities’: NRL clubs urged to sign PNG talent
Kumuls coach Justin Holbrook believes PNG’s Pacific Bowl triumph is just the first step in a dramatic rise for the league mad nation and predicted more of his players would soon be playing in the NRL. Holbrook guided
PNG Kumuls claim Pacific Bowl against Fiji
The PNG Kumuls delighted their home crowd and turned around their fortunes following a poor performance last week to claim the inaugural Pacific Bowl with a 32-12 win against Fiji. Embarrassed last Sunday by the Bati in
From gravel field debut to most capped Kumul: Martin proud of PNG legacy
Rhyse Martin expressed pride in the development of the game in Papua New Guinea as he prepares to become the most capped Kumuls player in Sunday’s Pacific Bowl final against Fiji at Santos National Football Stadium.
Fiji Bati party in PNG with big win over Kumuls 43-16
Fiji Bati produced a clinical performance to stun the Papua New Guinea Kumuls 43-16 in Port Moresby on Sunday. With Maika Sivo and Kurt Donoghue both claiming a double at Santos National Football Stadium, the Bati
History three-peats itself as Cleary masterclass guides Panthers to glory
Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary has produced the finest performance of his career to lead the premiers to a remarkable 26-24 triumph over the Broncos in an epic decider at Accor Stadium. Trailing by 16 points after an
World Cup final rematches headline end of year Pacific Championships
The Kangaroos will host Toa Samoa and the Jillaroos will play the Kiwi Ferns in re-matches of last year’s World Cup finals to kick off a new Pacific Championships involving men’s and women’s teams from seven
PNG NRL bid can wait, Build pathways first: Melbourne Storm centre Olam
Papua New Guinea should focus on developing young talent instead of bidding to be the 18th National Rugby League (NRL) franchise, says Melbourne Storm centre Justin Olam. While Olam was excited about the possibility of
New Zealand Rugby League working on unique World Cup bid that includes Pacific Islands
New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) is in talks with the Government on a bid for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup, which will include co-hosting with Pacific Island nations, but not Australia. It would be a fully inclusive
PNG high on the cards for NRL expansion, says Australian rugby league boss
Australian Rugby League Commission boss Peter V’landys has revealed plans for an expanded National Rugby League competition by 2026 with Papua New Guinea at the “top of the list” to win the code’s coveted 18th
Olam is Tourism PNG Ambassador
Papua New Guinea rugby league icon and Australian NRL Melbourne Storms star centre Justin Olam is officially the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’ s tourism brand Ambassador. The formal announcement was made in the
A lasting legacy: Tui Kamikamica’s ultimate gift to family
To the untrained eye they are just hills, but to Tui Kamikamica they are the ticket to building generational wealth for his family. It’s here in the place the Storm front-rower was raised, on an island made up of
Cowboys sign PNG quartet
The Cowboys have signed four Papua New Guinea Orchids players ahead of their inaugural NRLW season with Essay Banu, Shellie Long, Jessikah Reeves and Sera Koroi all joining the club. Having all featured recently at the
PNG National Rugby League Competition rolls out five-year plan
The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) will introduce national competitions for women and Under-19s starting 2025 as part of its five-year strategic plan (2023-2027). The plan, headed by PNG
More Pacific NRL stars opt to play for their homelands
With this year’s National Rugby League (NRL) season now up and running, the prevalence of Pacific players in the tournament is again obvious to see. All NRL teams now feature stars with Pacific heritage –
PNG’s Wigmen named Melanesian Cup champs
Even winning the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup twice in the season 2014 and 2020, the reigning champions Hela Wigmen described this year as ‘special’ for having the feel and taste of playing outside the country, actually
PNG Hunters overcome Kaiviti Silktails in first Melanesian Bowl
A second half hat-trick by front-rower Junior Rop underpinned the PNG Hunters’ strong 26-12 win over the Kaiviti Silktails to claim the inaugural Melanesian Bowl at Fiji’s Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on Saturday. The
Tui Kamikamica inks new deal with Melbourne Storm
Fijian forward Tui Kamikamica has re-signed with the Melbourne Storm on a two-year deal until the end of 2025. The 17-Test veteran has played 71 NRL games for the Storm since making his debut in 2017.
Tonga star supports Test series against England
Tonga and St Helens star Konrad Hurrell has thrown his support behind Kristian Woolf’s side putting their hands up to play England in a Test series to continue the growth of the two nations. England’s plans
Toa Samoa: One for the history books
So close and yet so far. That was what it came down to as the Toa Samoa valiantly fought the Australia Kangaroos in a 30 – 10 Rugby League World Cup grand final slugfest at the legendary Old Trafford Stadium this
‘We have changed the game globally’: Samoa stars push for more Tests
Samoan players have pledged to keep playing for the Pacific nation and they may be joined by more stars after changing the face of the international game by qualifying for the World Cup final. After shocking Tonga and
‘For my people’: The inspiration behind Samoa’s World Cup win
“For my people”. Those three words written on Stephen Crichton’s wrist tape were the inspiration for his World Cup semi-final heroics, which included a rehearsed field goal ploy that earned Samoa an historic place
‘Tears in our eyes’: Inside Samoa’s shot at history
“You’ve just made history, boys!” Samoan players were in tears after their 20-18 defeat of Tonga as coach Matt Parish told them that they were the first team from the Pacific nation to qualify for a World Cup
