Finals for most comps underway nationwide

Hello there to all our rugby league families in Papua New Guinea and abroad. Welcome to the 25th edition of Coach’s Corner in your favourite rugby league newspaper — The National.
It was quiet last weekend on the rugby league scene throughout the country.
Most players and officials spent time with their families and communities to celebrate PNG’s 44th Independence anniversary. Our sport has been here long before the country gained independence.
I’m happy that we put on hold all competitions to observe and join with the rest of PNG and our families and wantoks overseas to reflect on this special occasion.
Competitions resume this weekend with most leagues playing their finals series.
Rugby league action in Australia continued as usual. The Intrust Super Cup week two elimination finals saw Edene Gabbie lead the way for Wynnum Manly for a 20 –16 win over defending premiers Redcliffe Dolphins.
In the other match, minor premiers Sunshine Coast Falcons recorded a 22-14 victory over East Tigers.
Next week will see Townsville Blackhawks host Wynnum Manly while Luke Page’s Burleigh Bears have a home game against Sunshine Coast Falcons at Pizzey Park. Winners of these matches meet in the grand final the following week at Redcliffe Stadium.
In the NRL, Parramatta Eels notched a record 58–0 scoreline to end the Brisbane Broncos’ season. James Segeyaro and Xavier Coates will have some rest before taking up representative duties with the Kumuls. Manly Sea Eagles halted the Cronulla Sharks’ year with a 28-16 win.
The top-four battle saw the Sydney Roosters 80 minutes away from defending their premiership after defeating South Sydney Rabbitohs 30-6.
Justin Olam and the Melbourne Storm play this weekend after going down to Canberra Raiders 10-12.
The minor premiers host the Parramatta Eels in Melbourne while Souths take on Manly in Sydney.
The PNG Orchids and Kumuls teams for next month’s Rugby League World Cup Nines in Sydney will be announced later this month.
Players are encouraged to keep playing well for their clubs. Those players whose seasons are over and believe they are a chance of making the nines teams as well as the Kumuls and Orchids squads are also urged to keep training and stay healthy.
Stargroth Amean and Wartovo Puara Jnr are back in the country after their team Barrow Raiders did not make it into the finals in the United Kingdom’s second-tier rugby league competition. Watson Boas’s side Featherstone Rovers are in the finals and we wish them the best.
At this stage, I am not up to date with the progress of the national schools rugby league tour to Australia as I’m still in Rabaul.
Until next week, play hard, play safe and play by the rules in whatever sport you are competing in. If you are a supporter and spectator, respect the person and people beside you and remember there is no room for violence in any sport — inside and outside of the venue.

Cheers,
Mikz