Digicel Cup into finals

By JACK AMI
THE Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition has confirmed its top four for the weekend’s semifinals at the PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby.
This was confirmed by PNGNRLC administrator Stanley Hondina yesterday with PNG Rugby Football League chief executive officer Reatau Rau.
Hondina said after some doubts over the fourth placing between the Muruks and Mioks after the sides finished on 15 points each, the Southern Highlands side were given the nod based on a better for-and-against points differential.
“This weekend will see four-time minor premiers and reigning premiers Lae Tigers take on the Rabaul Gurias battle in the major semifinal, a rematch of last season’s grand final, with the winners advancing to the grand final on Sept 9.
The losers meet the winners of the minor semifinal between the Muruks and the Wigmen.
The Wigmen-Muruks fixture will be the second game at the Sir John Guise sports complex.
Hondina said the Digicel Cup champions would get the trophy and K65,000 while the runners-up would take K40,000 and the third and fourth placed teams would get K20,000 each.
Rau said the competition had run 14 rounds and had produced another year of solid rugby league.
“This is step in the right direction as the competition moves forward. We’re hoping to make improvements after reviews and that should see the standard get better,” Rau said.
He added that PNG Hunters had changed the atmosphere and attitude of the game in the country and commended all the stakeholders and people for their continued support.
Tickets for Sunday’s games — K150 (club lounge), K50 (grand stand), K20 (outer stand) — will be sold at the venue.