Ahead of the 2023 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup (DXMC) Cross over rounds, the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition are preparing for a trouble-free competition for the next 3 rounds which will be held only in Port Moresby and in Lae. PNG National Rugby League Committee General Manager Mr. Leith Isaac said this simply means that teams in Pool A can now challenge teams in Pool B. This weekend will see 6 matches to be played in Round 14. The Santos NFS will host 4 games and that’s the Central Dabaris to take on Mt. Hagen Eagles, ENB Agmark Gurias Vs PRK Mendi Muruks on Saturday and the Kroton Hela Wigmen will verse WNBPG & Kimbe Cutters & Enga Mioks Vs POM Vipers on Sunday. And over in Lae, the Goroka Lahanis to take on PRK Gulf Isou & Lae Snax Tigers to take on EMK Sepik Pride on Sunday. Tickets are on sale as off today at all selected outlets and all prices remain the same except the grandstand area has increased from K25. 00 to K30. 00. “We have had talks with both our Airline partners Air Nuigini and PNG Air to book all flights in advance to make sure there no disruptions before this weekend.” Mr. Isaac said, they have had a couple of issues that they have dealt with accordingly especially in Round 8 and & Round 10 and are calling on all 12 franchise teams to have a trouble-free match for the remaining rounds in the competition. “The board has made some decisions regarding some of the issues where we have fined 3 franchises, the Goroka Lahanis, Lae Snax Tigers and Mendi Muruks K10, 000 each accordingly for misconduct.” To ensure the game runs smoothly on a professional level, the PNG NRLC has banned one team official from the Lae Snax Tigers for 5years, some match officials (Referees & post-match officials) have also been suspended, 1 coach for 2 matches (this week will be his last match ban). “In doing so with some of the actions we have taken to ensure the completion is successfully played out without any further hiccups’ experienced in the other rounds, we have taken these steps to make sure the rules and regulations are maintained in the next couple of rounds.” Meanwhile, Competition Manager Mr. Joseph Paul said, after having the coach’s workshop last week Friday, they are hoping for all 12 franchise teams to have a good relationship and to know their code of conducts. “We have very pleased with that workshop as all team coach’s had the chance to interact and better know the codes because that’s the whole purpose of the workshop.” “All arrangements are fixed, and we are looking forward to kick of the first round of the Cross Over Rounds this weekend.” He is appealing again to all teams to play according to the rules and let the referees rule the calls while on field.

Gaipu Elementary School will finally receive the much-needed renovations after being neglected due to the deteriorated classrooms forcing more than 100 children to miss out on classes. The school is located in Ward 8 of Labuta LLG in Morobe Province. However, this will soon be a thing of the past. Nawaeb MP Hon Theo Pelgen visited the school on Friday and gave assurance that the school will be given a facelift in terms of its classrooms and facilities. He was accompanied by NDDA CEO Buds Botikie, Labuta LLG Manager Samuel Kamake and the Nawaeb District Technical Advisory Team. MP Plegen said this school he had visited during his campaign back in 2022 and made commitment that he will ensure to attend to the school if he was elected. “Bai yumi kisim wanpla sawmill, na asples upla yet makim diwai na cutim no wokim classroom blo pikinini.” He said roofing iron and nails will be provided under the District Education Support Funds. “We anticipate to build two times two in one classrooms and a SME centre room as well for mothers & youth to use for SME activities.” MP Pelgen said a similar construction was done for Singaua Primary School at Ward 11 of Labuta LLG and this would be the standard model for schools in Nawaeb District that need infrastructure support. “Displa sawmill where District bai baim em bai olgeta schools lo LLG bai usim to na helpim lo wokim classroom blo ol skul blo pikinini. Asples mas makim diwai blo ol yet na katim timba blo skul.” MP Pelgen talked with the teacher in charge to approach his office this week to ensure the commitment made is paid for and work begins for the school facelift immediately. Meanwhile, work is progressing rapidly for the Oligiduc Water Supply project located at Ward 1 of Labuta LLG. The Water Supply project received K100, 000 funding through Nawaeb MP Hon Theo Pelgen and Nawaeb DDA in June this year. Work commenced in July and it is highly anticipated that by August, villagers will start accessing water at the comfort of their homes once more. This project stems from a visit in May by Nawaeb District Administration Team headed by CEO Mr Buds Botikie with National Planning, Finance, Treasury, Works, and Nawaeb District Technical Advisory Team (Allied Resources Limited) to the area. Mr Botikie said more work emphasis will be given to the neglected areas of Nawaeb District in this term of Government all of which are identified in the Nawaeb District Five Year Development Plan to be launched soon.

South Sydney centre Campbell Graham will remain at the club for a further three years after signing a contract extension until at least the end of the 2027 season. Graham, who toured with the Kangaroos in their successful World Cup campaign last year, is on the comeback trail from a sternum injury after missing potential selection in the recent State of Origin series. The 24-year-old has been a mainstay in the Rabbitohs line-up since making his NRL debut in 2017 as a teenager with 125 appearances. Source: NRL.Com

Anitua Limited will be co-hosting the Trukai Fun Run (TFR) this year as the official organizing partner on Lihir Island. "We accepted the invite from Trukai Industries Ltd (TIL) to host this event on their behalf on Lihir because we see this is a great platform to purse our fundraising efforts to suppor Kavieng General Hospital", said Anitua Executive Director, Patrick Labongis. "Our Corporate Service team this year has focused its health advocacy on early detection and prevention of cancer. " We've been planning a number of fundraising initiatives to donate to the Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic at Kavieng General Hospital thus the Trukai Fun Run is timely," said Mr Labongis. While funds raised will go towards supports Team PNG to the 2023 Pacific Games, Anitua Ltd plans to donate its portion to Kavieng General Hospital's Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic as part of the company's effort to continue educating staff as well as Lihirians about the importance of early detection. " We are hoping to see at least 2000 participants paint Londolovit yellow with their TFR shirts on Sunday 20th August 2023," said Event Lead Nancy Gah. "Shirts will be selling at Anitua Supermarket, Anitua Corporate Services office and on the weekends at the Lihir Sports and Social Club. We encourage everyone on the island to buys a t- shirt and support two worthy causes," she said. Supporting the event in Lihir are Anitua Retail, NCS, Anitua Construction, Anitua Transport, Lihir Police and Newcrest. Mr Labongis said this is the first time Anitua Ltd is co-hosting the Trukai Fun Run with partnership with Trukai Industries Limited. "The landowner company looks forward to strengthening this relationship with TIL into the future, in line with the company's mission to "Build relationship with all external and internal stakeholders to enable a culture of operational excellence", he said.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has no dramas with Payne Haas testing the market and is confident the powerhouse prop will be wearing a Broncos jersey for the next decade. Contracted at the Broncos until the end of 2024, Haas is free to talk to rival clubs on November 1 and is sure to attract massive interest, but Walters believes the 24-year-old will remain at Red Hill. "Out of respect to Payne and his manager we are comfortable with what he is doing, but my thoughts personally are that he will be a Bronco for life," Walters said on Friday. "We’ve got a great environment here, Payne knows we want him to stay and he is also aware he loves being at the place, so I’m sure we can come to an agreement where both parties are happy. "It's not a distraction to the playing group because we are very respectful of each individual and their needs. Payne's a great player for us and he will continue to do that, his output is amazing. "You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that everyone would be interested in Payne but we are confident in the groundwork we have done here, not only with Payne but with all of our players that are coming off contract, that they want to stay here and be a Bronco and win. "We'll let it all unfold and we know Payne gives his all for whatever jersey he pulls on and he’ll be wearing a Broncos one for the next 10 years, I believe." The Broncos sit second on the ladder heading into Round 20 but will be without Pat Carrigan, Corey Oates and Haas for the game against the Bulldogs at Belmore. Haas is carrying an ankle injury while Carrigan is being rested after a tough Origin series, with both expected back in Round 21, but veteran winger Oates is facing six weeks out with a knee injury. The Bulldogs clash was to be the 28-year-old's 200th NRL game but that milestone will now go on hold until the end of the regular season or the finals. "I feel a bit sorry for Oatesy because he has had a tough year injury-wise," Walters said. "He's got a meniscus tear so he'll be out for 4-6 weeks depending on how well he recovers. "It was an innocuous incident at training, nothing in really, but sometimes the body doesn't hold up how you want it to. "He'll come back fresh and strong for hopefully the last couple of games into the  finals. Surgery will be the next step for him and then recovery." Walters revealed that Maroons star Carrigan had been "desperate to play" on Saturday but the decision was made to rest him. "We planned well for this week and trained well with the group that we've had here all week so I feel that's the best option for us," Walters said. "He can put his feet up and enjoy his Origin success and come back on Monday with his Broncos hat on and get ready for Souths." Source: NRL.Com

The major sponsor of the four-time national PNG champions the Lae Snax Tigers and a trusted and reputable company founded in 1972, the Lae Biscuits branding will appear on the back of the Sharks NRL shorts for the remainder of the 2023 season, beginning with their round 20 match on Sunday. As stated by Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta, this association with Lae Biscuits is a ground breaking partnership and is set to be of great benefit to both organisations. “The Lae Biscuit Company have been long time supporters of rugby league in PNG and we thank Ian Chow and Lae Biscuits for considering the Sharks as a viable partner as they look to spread their wings into the Australian market,” Mezzatesta began. “The Sharks trialled in PNG in 2020 and were exceptionally well received, with this partnership further cementing our relationship with the only country in the world where rugby league is the national sport. “This initial sponsorship with Lae Biscuits can only have massive upside for both and the hope would be to build this into a long-term partnership,” Mezzatesta said. In expressing similar sentiments, Lae Biscuit Company Chairman Ian Chow explained his organisation’s current connection to rugby league in PNG and his excitement around this opportunity to link with the Sharks and the NRL. “The Lae Snax Tigers are a big part of how PNG Rugby League has grown both locally and internationally,” Mr Chow stated. “As the owner-sponsor, through Snax brands, the Lae Biscuit Company has supported the Tigers for 13 years, spending millions of Kina, and having stability in good sponsorship has helped propel Lae Snax Tigers to higher levels. “The Cronulla Sharks being a powerful NRL team is similar in many ways to the Lae Snax Tigers in PNG. The Sharks won the 2016 NRL Grand Final, the same year the Snax Tigers won its first premiership in PNG. “This no coincidence. Fate has worked out as the Snax Tigers and Cronulla Sharks are now about to form a relationship and partnership that can hopefully be sustained for many years to come,” he added. From its humble beginnings, the Lae Biscuit Company has grown into the largest biscuit producer in the Pacific, with a newly opened factory and a Snax noodles line catering to the needs of every Papua New Guinean. The Lae Biscuit Company has continued to create employment opportunities, top notch customer service and quality product, while supporting the community by providing assistance to local projects, sporting events and disaster relief. However, in confirming their ongoing support of rugby league and the attraction of becoming involved with the NRL and the Sharks, is the impressive history of success for the Tigers since the inception of the domestic PNG competition in 2011 when the sponsorship of Lae Biscuts and the Snax brand began. The Lae Snax Tigers have won local premierships in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022, and they head into the upcoming Finals series placed second. They have appeared in five grand finals, while winning six minor premierships. The rugby league career of Storm premiership winning centre Justin Olam began with the Lae Snax Tigers, so too Edwin Ipape who plays for Leigh in the UK Superleague and is one of many from the club to have represented the PNG Kumuls. Stanley Tepend, the Coach of the Kumuls at the 2022 World Cup also hails from the Lae Snax Tigers, who in recent seasons have provided numerous players as a feeder club to the PNG Hunters who compete in the Queensland Cup competition. “The Lae Snax Tigers have good team culture, which has continued to build dating back to 2011,” Chow said. “We continue to educate our players in building good men off the field and have a sponsorship policy, paying all tuition fees for all higher education students playing for the Snax Tigers each year as part of their playing contracts. “This is enormous and unprecedented in PNG for a private company to do this. More than just a team and more the just a sponsor, the energy between Lae Biscuit Company and Lae Snax Tigers is highly valued and regarded in PNG,” said Chow proudly. The Lae Biscuit Company Limited logo will get its introduction to the NRL on the back right panel of the Sharks NRL shorts when they play the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday. Source: Sharks.com.au

The Dragons are set to be without Jaydn Su'A and Jayden Sullivan for the rest of the 2023 NRL season after the pair picked up injuries in their side's Round 19 loss to the Raiders. Scans have revealed Sullivan faces a recovery time of at least six weeks for a high-grade hamstring strain, sidelining him until Round 26 at the earliest, while Su'A will undergo surgery to repair increasing instability in his right shoulder. Ben Murdoch-Masila (knee) and Viliami Fifita (knee) will also miss the next fortnight, while Jacob Liddle (head knock), Paul Turner (hip pointer) and Tyrell Sloan (calf) are all expected to return following the Dragons' bye in Round 20. Josh Addo-Carr is in doubt for the Bulldogs' Round 20 game against the Broncos after he limped off in the final stages of Origin III on Wednesday night. Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco has been rested for the match against the Storm after leading NSW to victory in the series finale at Accor Stadium. Bulldogs forward Ryan Sutton also remains sidelined after he was sent  to hospital for scans following a tackle against the Rabbitohs in Round 19. Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould, said Sutton had experienced intense neck pain after the incident and was being monitored. Corey Oates won't play in his 200th game after picking up a knee injury at training. The Broncos confirmed the winger had sustained damage to the meniscus in his knee and would consult a specialist to determine the best course of action. In other news, Wests Tigers will welcome back hooker Api Koroisau from a broken jaw for their clash with the Knights. Koroisau suffered the injury against the Titans in Round 15 and has missed his side's losses to the Storm, Cowboys and Sharks. Source: NRL. Com

Maroons coach Billy Slater said the Blues' Game Three win reinforced just how hard it is to sweep a State of Origin series. An integral part of the Maroons dynasty which claimed eight straight Origin victories between 2006-13 but achieved just the one sweep in 2010, the Queensland coach said the NSW fightback at Accor Stadium had confirmed there was little between the sides. "They're NSW's best and Queensland's best so there's not much between the teams. We've seen that over the years, in that there's only six clean sweeps," Slater said post-match. "I was part of a pretty successful era of Queensland State of Origin and we did it (sweep) once. "The games are really close and they come down to moments and NSW owned more moments tonight." With the Maroons claiming a tight 26-18 win in Adelaide and then dominating in Brisbane, Slater made it back-to-back series wins in his first two years at the helm. But the Blues' face-saving 24-10 win in Game Three not only left the series-winning Maroons unsure how to feel on Accor Stadium, but also had the legendary fullback pondering the emotional rollercoaster of rugby league. "My coach at the Melbourne Storm always used to say to me you get what you deserve in this game and that was very true tonight and very true this year and this series," he said. "I felt NSW deserved the game tonight... but I still feel that this team deserves the series. "The effort and the football that they've played over the collective three games, I feel like Queensland deserve the series so we got what we deserved tonight and we got what we deserved this series. "It's a tough feeling. You're not too sure what to do out there on the field after the game so it is a strange feeling. "It's hard to look at it as a collective at the moment but I think in time we'll certainly look at it as a series not a disappointing Game Three." Slater’s future as Maroons coach remains uncertain with the 40-year-old yet to extend his tenure for 2024. Source: NRL.Com

Through the Hoops for Health program, the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea recently announced a new partnership with the PNG Lasallian Family. The partnership hopes to create a safe place to develop a more resilient and informed educators to deliver quality education in Papua New Guinea. The Lasallian Family is a non-profit affiliate of the teachers of the De La Salle Brothers St. John Baptiste de La Salle. National Coordinator PNG Lasallian Family, Grace Rakia is grateful and looks forward to working with the Basketball Federation of PNG on the Hoops for Health Program. “As a faith-based organization, we support and encourage a holistic approach that supports and encourages teachers to teach children." "Rather than focusing solely on passing exams or making them smart, we focus on helping them grow into diverse, happy, and constructive members of society.” The Hoops for Health's Women's Engagement Program aims to achieve the dual goals of combating gender-based violence and anti-social behaviour while promoting healthy active lifestyle. BFPNG President, Emma Waiwai thanked the Lasallian family of PNG for their consideration to partner for program implementation. "This breaks the silence of negative social and cultural norms that exclude women and girls from participation," President Waiwai said. “The program does not separate men and women; it unites them for a better community and PNG.” BFPNG Hoops for Health Program is made possible with the support of FIBA , the Australian Government's Sports for Development Program and Team Up.

After only purchasing 3 cans of Pepsi and entering the Pepsi Win a Ford Ranger competition, Mr Benjamin Petrus and family finally drove away with his dream car. Benjamin is currently working in Hela but resides in the Nation’s Capital, comes from Hela and is 35 years old. Benjamin expressed so much excitement after receiving the keys from Pepsi, he straight away handed over the spare keys to his father to use the vehicle when out of town working in Hela. After selling his car a year back, Benjamin says, the new Pepsi Ford Ranger will greatly help his family move around the city and calling it a family car. He said, after seeing the promotion, he bought 3 cans of Pepsi at Stop & Shop and went into the draw to be the lucky chosen one. “All I can say is that it’s a blessing.” After being notified by Pepsi, Benjamin flew in from Hela over the weekend to claim his grand prize and will be flying back to Hela tomorrow for work. “Mi stap lo wok taim mi bin kisim phone call na mi still hard lo bilivim. Mi holim key na now mi save trutru mi winim displa car.” (I was at work when I got the phone call and I couldn’t believe it. Now that I’m holding the key, I know that I won the car). “It was always my dream to own a Wild Track and Ford Ranger vehicle.” “So now that Pacific Industries has made it possible for me to own that, a big thanks to them and for running the competition.” Benjamin added that the competition was very transparent and fair. He’s very thankful for such promotions that give ordinary Papua New Guineans a chance to win double figure prizes that can change their lives.

A good start to Term 3 for St Peters Channel Primary School Monday morning with a full house for all teachers and students. Head Teacher Mrs Martha Kaisapi said, they first started of their day with an all school assembly for students and teacher's refreshers for at least an hour before heading to class. Mrs Kaisapi expressed excited to see such a good turnout because this was not usually the case. “This shows and proves that students are eager to learn and want to be at school.” She said, this term will have 11 teaching weeks and they are looking forward to this term. Apart from the schools main focus to prepare its students for the Grade National examinations which will be held on the 23rd-26th October, they are look forward to host the National Book Week on the 7th-11th August, school independence celebrations and other activities lined up. “Our main focus for this term is the grade 8 students." "We have prepared special lessons for them and help them improve on some areas before examination week." “Other focus areas are the teacher’s retreat that will be on the 31st August and the Teachers Walkathon to be held in week 3 to raise funds for the school.” She added that, by the second or third week, the school expected to receive the third quarter of the Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTFS).

Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has backed his team’s rejigged spine to get the job done as the Maroons aim to claim their first clean sweep since 2010. Harry Grant – who has started at hooker previously once before in Game One, 2021 – is set to start for Wednesday night’s match, with Ben Hunt coming off the bench, while AJ Brimson comes in at fullback for the suspended Reece Walsh. Cherry-Evans said the plan behind starting Grant to start was a look to the future to give him more experience. “We know how crafty he is,” Cherry-Evans said of Grant. “He's a fantastic player and you could probably argue his best days are in front of him, which is crazy to think." “I really enjoy playing footy alongside Harry, he thinks a lot about his footy and he's really good at bringing other people into the game, so I'm looking forward to the opportunity that he's got on Wednesday night." “We feel as though we've started the game well both games, so it's not as if we're disappointed with what Ben's done, Ben's done a fantastic job." “Make no mistake, it’s not about a demotion for Ben Hunt, this is about just giving Harry an opportunity to start." "He has started one game before... so, this is probably just our coach thinking ahead for the nine for the future." "Harry is really well thought out, he's thinking about what he's doing. He works on his footy. He spends time on it, watching video talking about it with us." Brimson's return to the number one jersey also brings with it an exciting combination of new strengths for the Maroons, after Walsh's fantastic contributions in Origin I and II. “We spend a lot of time together in camp." "A focus of how we play our footy is laying a foundation but then connecting as a spine, so we think about our footy affair bit,” said Cherry-Evans, who is set to go past Allan Langer with an Origin record of 14 games in a row in the number seven jersey for Queensland. “We talk about our footy a fair bit and with Harry starting, I guess it's just going to give it a different look to start the game." "But make no mistake, we're just trying to improve on what we've already been doing, which is good, but not elite just yet." “We've got a style of footy as a side that we really want to make sure we keep building on, but we're not just going to put AJ in and expect AJ to do Reece's job." “We're chatting about how to bring AJ into the game and what's best for him; what's his best footy look like?" "It is a bit different to Reece's, but it’s really important that we connect as a spine on Wednesday night and bring AJ into the game with his best strengths.” The skipper also said Brimson, and forward Pat Carrigan, had prepared well during the camp, despite it being an emotional week with members of the Maroons squad – joining the duo to support the Hampo Cup match on Sunday in tribute to their good friend Liam Hampson who passed away last year. “Yesterday would have been a tough day for him, I can't imagine what they went through at the time, let alone now when the emotions are rehashed, but it is in memory of what was believed to be a really good man and a friend to a lot of people,” Cherry-Evans said. “Those things are to commemorate, and I hope the boys just understand how lucky they are to be playing in someone's honour and I'm sure they're doing that." Motivation remained high throughout all the players in the Queensland squad despite already wrapping up the series, with the chance to claim a rare clean sweep a key factor to perform and establish this side among the greatest Maroons outfits. “We're aware of how little it's happened and that just shows how hard it is to do,” Cherry-Evans said. “You think of the greatest Queensland team that ever played and they did it once – so it's hard to do." “We know the challenge that's in front of us, but I can guarantee you, this group is excited about it." "We're not daunted by it." Source: NRL.com