Cup drains Royals lineup

 PORT Moresby Rugby League champions Royals head into the opening round of this year’s season with a depleted squad thanks to Digicel Cup recruitment.

The defending champions will have to do without 14 of their regular first graders, who have been snapped up by various franchises for the April kick-off of the semi-professional competition.

Royals club president Brian Kombe said the loss of the 14 players would see the club struggle to be competitive during the course of the season.

“This is a blow to the team and will affect the side in its campaign,” Kombe said.

It is yet to be established whether the signed players, who have been picked up by the Port Moresby Vipers and Simbu Lions, will be released by the franchises for the city league’s first round this weekend.

“We would love to have our players back for the opening round of the PRL competition.”

Kombe said while the club was disadvantaged in losing the players, it was an opportunity for the younger players to step up.

Fixtures: Fri, March 18 – Hohola Flies v Kone Tigers; Sat, March 19 – Butterflies v Souths, West v Defence; Sun, March 20 – Storm v Hawks, Paga Panthers v Magani, Dobo Warriors v Tarangau, Royals v Brothers.