16 confirmed for inaugural Super 9s

 SIXTEEN teams will converge at Kwikila Rugby League Oval tomorrow as the inaugural Digicel Super Nines gets underway.

The top two finishers will earn a pass to the Pacific Balanced Invitational Nines in Lae next month.

Tournament director David Silovo while confirming the participation of all the Southern Confederation sides, said the Northern Confederation had only managed to register four teams due to its geography covering part of Eastern Highlands (Kainantu), Madang and Vanimo (West Sepik).

“Northern have only confirmed four teams but are confident that they will get another 12 soon.

“They’ve got enough time to sort themselves out,” Silovo said.

“The sponsors have prepared the grounds in Kwikila, Central, and Rebiamul, in Mt Hagen.

“It’s going to be the same for all the appointed venues.”

Kicking off the tournament for the Southern confederate leg will be the Goilala Karukas and the Redbacks following the opening by Central Governor Kila Haoda and Rigo MP Ano Pala.

A moment’s silence will be observed before the match in memory of Goilala MP and rugby league patron, Daniel Mona who died last week.

Each team will play three matches in their pools tomorrow and the bottom four will be eliminated. 

The remaining teams will compete for the cup and K5000. 

The cup winners and runners-up will then proceed to the PBF Nines on March 14-15 and compete with the 10 Digicel Cup teams and four other invitational teams to select a side to represent PNG at the Pacific Games this year.