The Port Moresby Harlequins Rugby Union Club has announced a significant milestone in its history, with the international placement of two backline players, one forward, and a strength and conditioning (S&C) coach to Malaysia.
The announcement was made yesterday by Head Coach, Mr. Billy Rapilla who stated that the individuals travelling are Morris Ivei, Eddie Nipal, Calon David Kivu and Simon Gabisini as the Strength and Conditioning (S&C) coach.
This move marks a major step in the club’s commitment to high-performance development and international exposure for its talent.
The opportunity is the result of a formal agreement with the Armed Forces Rugby Club in Malaysia.
Coach Rapilla said that this is aligned with the Harlequins’ long-term vision to create structured pathways for emerging players to gain international experience, sharpen their skills, and represent Papua New Guinea on a larger stage.
“This is a great opportunity for us to bring our club to another level in rugby and create a pathway to allow our players to play overseas and expose their talent.”
The partnership will provide the selected players with a platform to compete in Malaysia’s elite domestic competitions and immerse themselves in a professional rugby environment.
The selected personnel are scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on August 11, 2025.
Their arrival is timed ahead of the 41st edition of the Agong Cup, a prestigious national rugby tournament in Malaysia.
The competition is set to run from late August through to the end of October. This extended window will allow for state-level participation and progressive rounds leading to the national finals.
The Agong Cup, named in honor of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia), is known for its high-intensity format and showcases the best of Malaysian rugby. The tournament is celebrated for its competitive standards, strong community support, and its role in developing regional rugby excellence.
Meanwhile, the club is also prepping for their third leg tour at the of this year. This placement was made possible through the ‘Go Rural to Go Global’ (GRIGG) initiative, a program backed by the PNG Sports Foundation and COBRA 10s.
The initiative aims to champion inclusive pathways for athletes from all backgrounds.
The Harlequins’ participation in the 2023 and 2024 COBRA 10s, with preparations underway for their third appearance at the 52nd COBRA 10s in November 2025, was also made possible by the support of corporate partners.
“This partnership is about more than just competition, it is about creating real opportunities for our players to grow, lead, and inspire. We are proud to see our talent take this to the next step.”
Coach Rapilla also said that this is a first-time opportunity for the club to take part in such sporting events and to be part of more opportunities that can allow different players of the club to be a part of in following years to come.
In terms of the selections, he said that the players were selected through their commitment towards the club trainings, attitudes on and off their fields, how they carry themselves within the club and how they interact with others around.
“It is not something we took lightly. Not only did we choose the best players, but how they committed themselves. It is a big challenge for them and for them to do their outmost best.”
Furthermore, talks for the next batch to take part in such international competitions are now underway.
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