Competition leaders the Kandes and the Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers shared the spoils in an entertaining 16-all draw at Ron Albert Oval on Saturday as Round 11 of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup came to a close before the competition heads into its scheduled bye round this weekend.The highly anticipated clash between the first-placed Kandes and fourth-placed Vipers lived up to expectations, with both sides crossing for three tries in a match that remained in the balance until the final whistle.Kandes looked set to continue their winning form after building momentum through tries from Benaiah Simon in the 12th minute, Ames John in the 20th minute and Mal Hilton four minutes later. Their efficient goal-kicking saw them convert both available opportunities to keep pressure on the visitors.The Vipers, however, showed why they remain among the competition's top contenders. Manase Watt opened the scoring in the opening minute before Martin Yanda and Gwenemba Gaffie added further tries to keep their side within striking distance.While the Vipers managed only one successful conversion from three attempts, an early penalty goal from Ben Fege proved crucial in helping secure a share of the points.Both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock in the closing stages, but strong defensive efforts ensured neither side could find a winning score.The draw sees the Kandes maintain their position at the top of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup ladder, while the Vipers remain firmly in the top four as the competition enters a brief mid-season break.With Round 11 now complete, players, officials and supporters will enjoy a well-earned rest as the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup observes its Bye Round on June 27–28.For one weekend, the competition's hard tackles, spectacular tries and passionate sideline debates will take a pause before returning on July 5 for what promises to be an exciting run toward the finals.The break provides teams with a valuable opportunity to recover and regroup ahead of the second half of the season, with the race for finals positions becoming increasingly competitive.When the competition resumes, all eyes will be on ladder leaders Kandes as they look to maintain their advantage at the top, while the Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers will be aiming to build on their strong form and continue their push towards premiership contention.

The ENB Agmark Gurias thrilled their home supporters at Queen Elizabeth Park on Saturday with a commanding 38-20 victory over the Asila Waghi Tumbe in Round 11 of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.The Gurias produced one of their most complete performances of the season, crossing for seven tries and maintaining control for much of the contest to secure an important victory heading into the competition's scheduled bye round.The home side wasted little time making their intentions clear, with Ephron Achim crossing for the opening try in just the second minute before Mark Alunga added another four-pointer nine minutes later. Achim completed a double in the 21st minute as the Gurias built momentum early.Further tries from Dominic Anis, Junior Talin, and Chris Benjamin ensured the Gurias maintained their attacking dominance, while their defensive efforts limited the opportunities available to the visitors.Alunga was equally impressive with the boot, converting five of seven attempts to finish with an influential contribution in both attack and goal-kicking duties.The Waghi Tumbe refused to go away quietly, responding with four tries through Kevin Yako, Steven Kome, John Karepa, and Richard Philip. Goal-kicker Charlie Buka added two conversions, but the visitors were unable to overcome the Gurias' strong first-half advantage.The match also featured several player rotations as both teams managed their squads throughout the contest, while Tumbe forward Abraham Nop successfully returned to the field after undergoing a Head Injury Assessment during the game.For the Gurias, the victory provides valuable momentum as the competition pauses for the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Bye Round on June 27–28.With no matches scheduled this weekend, players and fans will enjoy a short break before the competition resumes on July 5, when the race for finals positions is expected to intensify.The Gurias will take confidence from their strong attacking display and look to build on their Round 11 success as they continue their push toward the finals in the second half of the season.

The Lae Snax Tigers have secured a hard-fought 18-14 victory over PRK Gulf Isou in a thrilling Round 11 clash of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup at the Lae League Ground.The Tigers produced a composed second-half performance to edge out a determined Gulf Isou side in front of their home supporters, with both teams showing plenty of attacking intent throughout the contest.Lae crossed the line three times during the match, with Dilbert Isaac leading the charge with a double after scoring in the 27th and 50th minutes. Joshua Lau added another four-pointer in the 64th minute to help secure the win.The Tigers' goal-kicker Macquin Gabriel was perfect with the boot, converting all three tries to finish the afternoon with six valuable points and maintain pressure on the scoreboard.Gulf Isou responded strongly with two tries of their own through Karis Peter in the 56th minute and Kenny Laho in the 69th minute. Their goal-kicker Felix Beki matched Gabriel's accuracy, converting both tries and keeping his side within striking distance until the final whistle.Despite the late push from Gulf Isou, the Tigers' defensive effort in the closing stages proved enough to secure the two competition points.The result continues Lae Snax Tigers' push as the competition heads deeper into the season, while Gulf Isou will take confidence from another competitive performance against a strong opponent.

The Institute of Business Studies University (IBSU) is hosting the 2026 Intervarsity Touch Rugby Competition this week at its sporting grounds in Port Moresby city and welcomes all student athletes from across Papua New Guinea (PNG) who are competing.The four-day tournament, running from today Monday June 22 to Thursday June 25, brings together students from some of the country's leading tertiary institutions as part of the broader 2026 Intervarsity Games program.Participating universities include the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT), University of Goroka (UOG), University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) Popondetta Campus, and Pacific Adventist University (PAU).The competition aims to provide students with opportunities to build friendships, strengthen teamwork, and develop leadership and life skills through sport while fostering greater interaction among students from different academic institutions.Matches will be played daily from 8:30am to 4:00pm at the IBSUniversity Sporting Field.Earlier this month, IBSUniversity's Student Affairs Department, in partnership with the IBSU Student Association, officially presented jerseys to student athletes who will represent the university in various sporting codes during the 2026 Intervarsity Games.In addition to hosting the touch rugby competition, IBSUniversity students will compete in several sporting events being held around the country.Netball teams will travel to Lae to compete at PNGUoT, soccer teams will participate in Madang at Divine Word University, basketball teams will compete in Rabaul at UNRE, while volleyball teams will take part in competitions hosted by UPNG.IBSUniversity officials said the institution remains committed to supporting student development through sports and extracurricular activities, recognizing the important role athletics play in promoting healthy lifestyles, teamwork, discipline, and personal growth.The university has extended its best wishes to all participating athletes and encouraged supporters, officials, and the wider community to attend and celebrate the achievements of students throughout the competition.IBSUniversity also expressed its commitment to working closely with participating institutions and stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the 2026 Intervarsity Touch Rugby Competition.

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has assured city residents that settlement evictions in Port Moresby will be guided by proper planning and resettlement strategies, amid growing public concern over the impact of ongoing and future evictions. Responding to questions about the recent Wildlife settlement eviction and concerns that thousands more people could be affected by future exercises, Governor Parkop acknowledged the challenges facing residents, including students, public transport operators and families living in informal settlements. However, he declined to provide detailed comments on the matter during a recent media conference, stating that he would address the issue more comprehensively at a separate briefing. "I am ready to host another media conference to address that specifically," Governor Parkop said. "I don't want to give any specific reply here at this time. I just want to say that it is part of the challenge that we are preparing for in the future."The Governor said settlement management and resettlement planning form part of the key performance indicators and responsibilities assigned to the City Manager as the National Capital District Commission works towards creating a more organized and sustainable city.He emphasized that future development plans would focus on planned settlements and planned resettlement rather than allowing one informal settlement to be replaced by another. "We have been doing the same thing for the last 50 years," he said. "People must stop thinking about settlements and start thinking about a planned city, a well-organized city that provides a good quality of life and a strong foundation for future generations."Governor Parkop said the city's long-term vision is to improve living standards, social and economic opportunities, and urban development outcomes for residents.He reiterated that while the NCDC's policy is to eventually phase out informal settlements, the government does not intend to displace people without proper planning."Settlements must end. That's our policy," he said. "But it does not mean we are going to displace our people. We are not a government that throws people onto the streets. We always have a plan."Parkop noted that some past evictions had been carried out by private developers independently, creating challenges for affected communities.He assured residents that future settlement programs would be undertaken through structured planning processes and proper resettlement arrangements."I can assure city residents and those living in settlements that it is part of the City Manager's benchmarks to continue proper settlement planning based on a clear plan," he said.The Governor's comments come amid increasing public concern over urban settlements in Port Moresby and the social impacts that large-scale evictions could have on families, education and livelihoods.

The SP PNG Hunters showed plenty of determination but were ultimately outclassed by a clinical Northern Pride outfit, going down 32-16 in their Hostplus Cup clash at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday 21st, 2026.Playing in front of their home ground supporters, the Hunters made the ideal start when exciting outside back Sanny Wabo crossed for the opening try in the 10th minute to give the hosts an early 4-0 lead.The Hunters looked confident early, but the visitors gradually wrestled control of the contest, scoring four unanswered tries to build a commanding lead. Northern Pride's Daniel Woodhouse, Tyler Moriarty and Fanafou Seve all crossed in a dominant first-half period as the Queensland side surged ahead.Despite the pressure, the Hunters refused to go away. Graham Rex gave the home crowd something to cheer about when he crashed over shortly before halftime, narrowing the deficit to 16-8 at the break.The second half proved challenging for the Hunters as Northern Pride capitalised on key moments to extend their advantage. Moriarty grabbed his second try shortly after the restart before Hunters winger Wabo was sent to the sin bin, forcing the home side to defend with 12 men.Northern Pride took full advantage, with Ronald Philitoga scoring two second half tries to stretch the visitors' lead to 32-8 with just under 20 minutes remaining.To their credit, the Hunters continued to fight until the final whistle. Centre Douglas David emerged as a bright spot for the home side, producing a strong finish with two late tries in the 65th and 69th minutes. His efforts helped reduce the final margin and highlighted the resilience that has become a trademark of the Hunters.While the result did not go their way, the Hunters showed flashes of their attacking potential, finishing with four tries against one of the competition's in-form sides. Missed conversion opportunities proved costly, with the home team unable to add any points from their four tries.Head coach and players will take positives from the never-say-die attitude displayed in the closing stages, particularly the performances of David and Rex, as the Hunters continue their push through the Hostplus Cup season.The defeat leaves the SP PNG Hunters anchored at the bottom of the Hostplus Cup ladder on the15th place, adding further pressure as they look to revive their campaign in the remaining rounds of the season.Despite showing resilience with a late fightback against Northern Pride, the Hunters will need to convert their performances into victories to climb out of last position.

The National Capital District Commission (NCDC) is intensifying preparations for Papua New Guinea's entry into the NRL in 2028, with city leaders describing the project as a transformational opportunity for the country.NCD Governor Powes Parkop said Port Moresby must be ready to accommodate increased visitor numbers, economic activity and infrastructure demands when the PNG franchise enters the competition.He said, "The city must be 2028-ready. When teams, supporters and visitors come to Papua New Guinea, we must have the accommodation, health facilities, roads and services in place."Reappointed City Manager Ravu Frank agreed, describing the NRL's arrival as a catalyst for long-term social and economic development."I believe the inclusion of the PNG franchise in the NRL will permanently change the country," Frank said."It will impact our economy, our social development and many other sectors."Frank said NCDC management had already begun planning and preparing for the opportunities and challenges associated with the competition's arrival.Beyond 2028, both leaders highlighted rapid urbanisation as one of the capital city's greatest long-term challenges.Parkop warned that population growth would place increasing pressure on Port Moresby's infrastructure and services, requiring strategic planning and investment.He said, "We have to prepare for the future. By 2050, urbanisation will dramatically change our country, and our capital city must be ready."Frank said NCDC's vision aligns with broader national development goals and the city's ambition to become a modern, smart and sustainable urban centre."We want to help build the foundations for a smart country, smart people and a smart future," he said.With NRL 2028 on the horizon and major reforms underway, NCDC leaders say the next four years will be critical in shaping the future of Papua New Guinea's capital city.

Reappointed NCD City Manager Ravu Frank has vowed to continue reforms aimed at building a professional, merit-based public service within the commission.Speaking after securing a second term, Frank said improving human resource standards would remain one of his highest priorities over the next four years.He said, "When I started in 2022, my agenda was to professionalize NCDC. The organization is only as good as the people who work in it. We need qualified and experienced people who can effectively deliver services to the residents of Port Moresby."Frank said the commission would continue implementing reforms designed to strengthen recruitment, performance management, and workforce capability.Governor Powes Parkop said the reforms were one of the main reasons the board opted to reappoint Frank."For too long public institutions have suffered from appointments that were not always based on merit," Parkop said."Our vision is to build a professional organization where appointments are based on qualifications, experience and performance."Parkop noted that while Papua New Guinea has produced many national development plans over the years, implementation has often been the country's greatest challenge."We have great visions and plans, but we need competent people to turn those visions into reality," he said.The governor said the commission would continue restructuring efforts and would even subject the reforms to independent external review to ensure they deliver meaningful results.Both leaders agreed that building a strong and professional public service would be critical to supporting Port Moresby's future growth and development.

Mr. Frank Ravu has been reappointed as the National Capital District (NCD) City Manager for a second term, serving for another four years.The National Capital District Commission (NCDC) Board unanimously backed his reappointment to continue the leadership as the city prepare for major reforms and future growth.Announcing the decision was NCD Governor and NCDC Chairman Powes Parkop, who said the reappointment was based on merit, performance, and the need for continuity within the commission."Our board made the decision based on merit. We had our due process. The law requires us to assess the performance of the incumbent and there were two performance reports submitted during his four-year term."Parkop said the board's unanimous decision followed assessments by both the Department of Personnel Management and the Commission, which concluded that Frank had performed strongly during his first term."The most important reason for the reappointment is continuity," he said."We are at a critical stage in the journey of our capital city. We have undertaken major reforms over the last four years and we need to consolidate those gains."Frank, who joined NCDC in March 2001 as an engineer, thanked Governor Parkop, the board, commissioners and staff for their confidence in his leadership."I am humbled by the confidence placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Port Moresby," Frank said.He acknowledged that there were other qualified officers within the organisation but said he was committed to continuing the reforms and initiatives already underway.Frank will now lead the Commission through its next phase of development, including preparations for PNG's entry into the NRL in 2028 and the city's long-term urban development plans.

The current Burleigh Bears Coach Luke Burt, who is the upcoming PNG Chiefs Assistant Coach, is excited to kick start his career with the Chiefs when he takes up his role in November 2027.Burt said he is eager to help build a strong foundation for the Chiefs as the club prepares for its historic entry into the NRL in 2028.He said, "I'm super excited about joining the Chiefs. I can't wait. I was talking to Michael on Friday and when I got off the phone, I felt like a little kid. That's how excited I was.“I'm looking forward to getting amongst it over here, being part of the Chiefs set-up and really buying into what we can archive in the NRL."Burt revealed he has already held several discussions with incoming head coach Willie Peters and believes they share a similar vision for the club's future."I've spoken to Willie plenty of times," he said."He's got a bit of work on at the moment over in the Super League, but I feel like our beliefs and the culture we want to bring really marry- up. I think it suits what we're trying to build here with the Chiefs."The former NRL player also praised the club's early recruitment efforts, highlighting the caliber of players already committed to the franchise."You can't fault those signings. They're pretty good signings," Burt said."You get players like Jerome Luai, Connor Watson, AJ and Matty Lees, who is a quality middle forward for England. Those guys bring experience and quality, and they'll help set standards for the club."While excited by the marquee recruits, Burt said developing local talent would remain a key priority."There's a lot of potential here, and it's our job to develop those players," he said."That's something I take a lot of pride in. Even at Burleigh, I've always enjoyed developing players and helping them reach the next level."If we can develop PNG players into NRL players, I think that would be a great story and a huge success for the club."Burt also commended the work already being done through the Chiefs' pathways system and believes the club is well-positioned ahead of its inaugural season."The pathways program is in a really good place at the moment," he said."From everything I've been told, a lot of good work is being done, and I think we're in a strong position heading into 2028. The timing feels right for PNG to enter the competition."Burt was asked also if young players like former Junior Kumuls representative, Philip Coats, could be a prospect for the PNG Chiefs; he responded by simply complementing the young gun. "We wouldn't say no to Philip, he is a great young talent, " he said with a smile. “"He's had a busy week travelling with the Broncos before making the trip over here, so we managed his workload a little. You never know what the future holds, but he's certainly a player with plenty of potential."

Former Junior Kumuls representative, Philip Coates described his return to Papua New Guinea (PNG) as a special moment after featuring for the Burleigh Bears against the PNG Hunters at Santos National Football Stadium over the weekend in Port Moresby.The young forward, who represented the Junior Kumuls in late 2024, said the opportunity to return home and play in front of family and local fans was something he had been looking forward to since the fixture was announced."The last time I was here was at the end of 2024 when I played for the Junior Kumuls," Coates said."I've been trying to get back ever since. It's always good coming back and playing on this field and in front of the fans, but also to see my family as well. It's always special coming back."Ever since we found out we were playing in PNG; it was really exciting. I really wanted to play."Coates has continued his development in the professional ranks and said the transition to a higher level of football has been made easier by the support of teammates and coaching staff.He said, "It's been really good. All the big boys have been really helpful with me, especially when I made my debut. The coaches and the boys have helped me throughout the week and made my job a lot easier."The talented youngster also revealed that representing the PNG Kumuls at the upcoming Rugby League World Cup remains one of his major goals."It would be an honour. It's definitely one of my goals this year to represent the Kumuls at the World Cup.“I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing and keep playing good footy. Hopefully the selectors and coaches have faith in me to be in the squad," Coates said.Coates credited senior players for helping guide his development, saying advice from experienced teammates has been invaluable as he continues to establish himself at a higher level.The forward also welcomed the arrival of PNG’s NRL franchise the PNG Chiefs, scheduled to enter the competition in 2028."I think it's a great thing for PNG to come in and showcase their local talent as well. It'll be great for them, “he said.Despite only spending a short period on the field against the Hunters, Coates said he was touched by the reception he received from the Port Moresby crowd."I only had five minutes, but the reception from the crowd was something I didn't expect," he said."Especially because I'm so young and I haven't been back in a while. To get that love from the people is very special. I'm very honoured."

SP PNG Hunters coach Paul Aiton believes his side's lack of experience and poor decision-making at crucial moments proved costly in their 22-12 loss to the Burleigh Bears at Santos National Football Stadium, in R13 of the QRL Hostplus Cup on Sunday.The Bears crossed for five tries to two to claim the victory, but Aiton felt the Hunters had created enough opportunities to win the match. "We put ourselves in a position to win that game again. We blew a lot of opportunities and made a lot of silly decisions on the field, but it all comes down to experience," Aiton said after the match. The Hunters matched the Bears for much of the contest and went into halftime locked at 12-12 after tries to Trevor Solu and Joel Gena, with Trevor Solu and Jamie Mavoko converting successful conversions. However, the visitors pulled away in the second half through tries to Ryan Foran and Lee Turner Rau, who finished with a double, while Guy Hamilton’s penalty goal further extended Burleigh's advantage. Aiton pointed to moments when players abandoned the game plan as a key factor in the defeat. He said, "When we were doing what we were trying to do, we looked really good. As soon as individuals started playing by themselves, that's when we started to fall apart, unfortunately." The former international believes his young squad is still developing and will benefit from more experience at Hostplus Cup level. "Some of those young players get a few more games under their belt; they'll probably know when to kick, when to pass the ball and when not to," Aiton said. The Hunters coach said the team would review the performance and continue working on maintaining discipline and structure throughout matches. "We'll go back, reassess, review it again and keep hammering those lessons until we're all on the same page," he said. Despite the disappointing result, Aiton thanked the Hunters faithful, who continue to turn out in strong numbers despite the team's challenging season. "Every week it's great. There's more and more people coming to support us and it gives me a good feeling because they want to win too," he said. "They're here to support the team and we want to win for them as well. We all want the same thing and we're hoping next week we can get that win for the fans." Aiton acknowledged the club is currently undergoing a transition period but assured supporters the team remains committed to improving and delivering results. "We appreciate all the supporters who are always behind us every week. Keep supporting us and we'll get that win for you."