9s tourney to showcase talent: Tepend

LAE Snax Tigers coach Stanley Tepend, pictured, says the Lae Biscuit Nines which kicks off today only adds to what has already been another outstanding year for rugby league.
The tournament starts with the round robin games at 9am at the PNG Football Stadium (Sir John Guise Sports Complex) and ends on Saturday.
Tepend said that a total of K22,000 would be up for grabs for the teams who have registered to participate in the tournament.
“The winner of the tournament walks away with K10, 000 while the runners-up gets K6000, third-placed team gets K4000 and fourth walks away with K2000.
“The tournament has been staged in the Highlands, Momase and New Guinea Islands and this year we’ve decided to bring the tournament to the Southern region.
“This is an opportunity for talent from the Central province and Port Moresby to show us what they can do.” The Lae Biscuit 9s has been used as a tournament for Digicel Cup scouts to identify talent for their squads.
Teams from the nation’s capitalas well as from the Aroma coast, Motu-Koitabu and Koiari are expected to take part.
Tepend said Lae Biscuit had been the loyal supporter of the tournament over the last six years and they had came on board again this year.
“The other reason for the tournament is to promote the company and its products,” he said.
Tepend said 20 teams had already been confirmed and they would be in four pools.
“The top three advance to the finals on Saturday while the bottom two bow out.
“We will only accept three Digicel Cup players in each team to boost the teams that they represent.”
Tepend said admission to the tournament was free and he encouraged fans to turn up to support their teams and enjoy the three days of competition.