Business end of season is here

The National Sports

HeLLO there all our rugby league families. Welcome to the 20th edition of Coach’s Corner in your favourite rugby league newspaper — The National.
It’s August and the business end of the rugby league season has arrived. For some, its finals time while for most, they hang up their boots and review the past season. And plan for the year ahead.
The Digicel Cup season proper is done. This weekend is a bye and for the bottom six, is season over while the top-six begin their finals preparations next weekend. Well done to coach Stanley Tepend and the Lae Snax Tigers for taking out the Digicel Cup minor premiership.
The regional confederate championships have begun with Southern holding theirs this week.
I was at Kwikila yesterday with former Kumul and Melbourne Storm winger Marcus Bai to watch the Under-20s. I am very impressed with the skills and enthusiasm these boys possess. But what attracted me the most was the playing field. It is as good as any I have seen in a rural setting and can confidently encourage the Central Dabaris to use this oval for some of their games.
It just needs a proper drainage system for the wet season, and some maintenance and care. Highlands, Northern and New Guinea Islands will complete their regional championships over the next few weeks.
U20, senior men’s and women’s teams will be selected to represent their confederates at the national championships in Lae from Sept 4-6.
Select the best players with a good attitude and skills for the national championships.
The weekend before on Aug 31 will see the Brisbane Broncos women’s and legends teams play against our Oil Search Papua New Guinea Orchids and former Kumuls.
The Broncos women will play the Orchids in a warm up hit-out ahead of their NRL premiership defence when the women’s competition is played over the NRL finals.
Most of the Orchids are playing in competitions so they should be right to go when the team is announced next week.
The former Broncos — apart from Justin Hodges, Terry Matterson, Scott Prince and Petero Civoniceva who have confirmed their attendance — have yet to finalise their travelling side.
Let’s not worry about our opposition but focus on our preparations. Those former Kumul colleagues living in and around Port Moresby are invited to come to NFS at 1pm tomorrow.
We will have medical checks and schedule some training sessions. Those outside of Port Moresby who think they can make it here can contact me and I will arrange for your medicals and training.
It was good to see Andrew Norman and Joshua Kouru join Carol Humeu yesterday to start promoting this event at the announcement of the ticket prices. I will bring you more news next week.
David Loko and Garry Lo have been named in the SP Hunters squad for the ISC Round 20 clash against the Luke Page led Burleigh Bears here in Port Moresby on Sunday.
Willie Minoga is in training while we keep an eye on his knee injury. Henry Wan will be included in the SP Hunters squad soon and all of them will play in the Hunters remaining three games.
There are three reasons why they have been included in the SP Hunters camp:

  • To provide experience and knowledge on the field to the younger players who will make up the nucleus of the SP Hunters team next year;
  • Allows SP Hunters players to play finals football with their Digicel Cup franchises; and,
  • To keep them in contention and eligible for international games at the end of season.

Kurt Baptiste was presented with a bank slip of all the monies deposited into an account opened to assist in his recovery from the season-ending injury he sustained in the Kumuls’ Test against Samoa, in Townsville before the Hunters’ game against Blackhawks last Saturday. He is grateful for all your kind gestures and prayers as he recovers from this injury.
He told me that even though he would possible miss the first half of next season, he would work hard to get back on the field to push for a spot in the Kumuls for the Rugby League World Cup in England in 2021.
That’s the attitude of a professional athlete who sets goals and works hard to achieve them.
He told me to relay this message: “The injury is a setback but that gives me the challenge to work hard to get back into my beloved red, black and gold jumper. I am not done yet. Thank you to PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka, the board, chief executive and staff and everyone back home for your support in whatever way and for your prayers.”
We wish you a speedy recovery and stay positive.
The curtain-raisers to the Hunters-Burleigh Bears game on Sunday will see the Under-6s to U12s from 10 schools play their finals.
These children — boys and girls — have been playing at the University of PNG Oval every Sunday for the past eight or nine weeks and their Mini-Mod competition comes to an end this weekend.
I have attended several games and the enjoyment is shown all over their faces. I commend the NRL PNG Team, led by Cathy Neap and her staff, for the running this competition at a young age.
I urge everyone to come to NFS at 12pm on Sunday and watch these youngsters play their version of rugby league. You will enjoy it.
When the youngsters have finished, stay back and support skipper Moses Meninga lead the Hunters against his fellow Kumuls prop Luke Page, who plays with the Bears.
Until next week, play safe, play hard and play by the rules in whatever sport you are playing. Be a good supporter if you’re watching and please don’t cause any trouble.

Cheers,
Mikz