The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) Board and Management has congratulated the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) for a successful 2025 season, which included the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, Santos Cup, and the inaugural National Youth Competition. The Grand Final matches held on the eve of PNG’s 50th Independence Anniversary became more than just a culmination of sporting excellence; they served as a celebration of PNG’s rich culture and sporting heritage. In partnership with the PNG government, the final event showed the rich variety and vibrancy of PNG's cultures. Traditional dances from Manus province started the event, honouring their cultural traditions. The festivities went on with amazing performances by local musicians such as Chris Cobb, Mal Meninga Kuri, Didi Maru, and Wan Squad. Prominent figures present for the event included Prime Minister James Marape, Sports Minister Kinoka Feo, ExxonMobil PNG's Chairman and Managing Director Dinesh Sivasamboo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Santos Kevin Gallagher, CEO of Telstra Vicki Brady, PNG NRL Club Chairman Ray Bid, outgoing CEO Andrew Hill from PNG NRL Club, SP PNG Hunters Chairman Stan Joyce, SP PNG Hunters CEO Scott Barker, and Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin. Both cups and match balls were brought in by PNG Defence Force Helicopters. The Santos Cup was accompanied by PNG Orchids number one Cathy Neap, PNG Weightlifting legend and Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist Dika Toua, PNG Veteran Powerlifter Linda Pulsan, PNG Track star Rellie Kaputin, PNG Lakatoi Captain Ramona Padua and Santos PNG Orchids Chairlady Celestine Ove. The Digicel ExxonMobil Cup was brought in by PNG Veteran Swimmer and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Ryan Pini, Former PNG Kumuls and Super League star Stanley Gene, Former Kumuls and NRL players Justin Olam and David Mead, PNG Veteran Sprinter Takale Tuna and Digicel PNG Chief Executive Officer Tariq Boudiaf. PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka, congratulated everyone, recognized the amazing advancements that the PNGNRLC achieved during the 2025 season. Even though there were some difficulties, the season showed a lot of progress in PNG rugby league, thanks to the effort to make the game more professional. During this time, there were new training programs for game officials, more coaching help available for clubs, and a fully functioning judiciary system to keep things fair and disciplined. The PNGRFL Board sent special thanks to chairman Adrian Chow and the PNGNRLC Board and management team for another successful season. “We are immensely proud that the PNGNRLC 2025 Season Grand Final for the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup and Santos Cup was used to honour our sporting legends across all codes for PNG’s 50th.” “Sport is a unifying factor for PNG and that is always on showcase for any sporting event, including rugby league.” “PNG turns fifty and PNGRFL stays committed to the growth of rugby league that ensures pathways and growth of the game, as PNG National Sport, is felt across the country for the next fifty years and onwards.” “To the Grand Finalist winners, a congratulation and a job well done for coming out on top as the 2025 Grand Finalist Champions.” “The Lae Snax Tigers turning the tables and beating the Minor Premiers, PRK Mendi Muruks, showcasing the clubs’ overall capabilities of motivating their 18 men team to come out as champions.” “For the Santos Cup, a true rivalry in the making as the same teams from the 2024 season met again, with the Gas Resources Central Dabari taking the win against the 2024 season champions Bintangor Goroka Lahanis.” “What a great class of rugby league witnessed not only in PNG but telecasted into Australia by NRL. I congratulated both clubs again on their win for the 2025 Season.” “For PNGRFL, the development and growth of PNGNRLC to be able to deliver the NRL standard of rugby league has been key for us in the last 5 years.” In addition, PNGRFL Chairman Tsaka also said that the 2025 season has showcased that growth for PNGNRLC with a robust and rigorous judiciary system delivering charges after each round, the consistent development of the PNG Referees with Queensland Rugby League providing training throughout the season, the improvements to the social media pages to allow their followers to be informed and engaged with the competitions and their ongoing partnerships with each franchise to ensure their growth alongside PNGNRLC. The Digicel ExxonMobil Cup is a competition that takes place over 22 rounds, which includes 18 regular rounds and four final rounds. There are 12 teams involved, and the 2025 season marks the 36th time this event has happened. Meanwhile, the Santos Cup is the national tournament for women's rugby league, and it runs over seven rounds with two final rounds. This is only the second year for this competition, and there are six teams taking part. Moreover, the National Youth Competition occurred halfway through the season in May 2025. It included seven rounds of games and two final rounds, with six teams participating in total.