Jessie Joe, Bina in beefed up Butterflies

PAPUA New Guinea Kumul utility Jessie Joe Nandye and PNG Hunters Ate Bina Wabo will lead the Oro Butterflies’ campaign in the Fairfax Tropical Nines Rugby League Challenge Cup which starts today at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby. 

The Butterflies are in Pool K and their first match is against Koita Cowboys on day one. Their next game is against O-Wan Titans and day three will see them going up against Mosbi Souths Taudia.

The FTNRL Cup and K40,000 is up for grabs with the 44 men’s teams vying for the major honors.

This will be the moment of truth as some of the teams like Butterflies, Koiari Nagavas, Madang Duban Fox and Irupara GK Marlins and Rovanama start as hot favourites. 

FTNRL Ltd founding president Andrew Oli said the opening ceremony would be at 9am and the first games kick off at 10. 30am.

Oli said all teams will play one match per day. 

Fixtures: Day 1, Pool A – Aranaimo Brothers vs Royals, Moresby South East vs Erima Wanderers; Pool B – Bang 36 vs Henao Hurricanes, Moresby South West vs Urban Youth Pride; Pool C – Freeway Bumpers vs Madang Duban Fox, UPNG Pythons vs Marane Kay Juniors; Pool D – Kone Storm vs Irupara GK Marlins, University of PNG Blacks vs West Papua Warriors; Pool E – City Redbacks vs BCMS PNG, Boera Sailors vs NCD Suburban; Pool F – Lagoon Pirates vs Ekessa Tyres, Port Moresby Fireballs vs Oro Settlers; Pool G – Rovanama vs Amazon Bay Hawks, Koiari Nagavas vs Gaivakala Sea Eagles. Pool H  – Keakalo Malagana vs Porebada Marlins, Papa Ril Roadsiders vs Port Moresby Diwai; Pool I – Mogeana Blues vs FH Lauma, Waidex Eels vs Bomai Yal;  Pool J – SSG Riisters vs Bese Bulldogs, Highway Brothers vs Viriolo Sharks; Pool  K – Butterflies vs Koita Cowboys; Women’s Pool A – Pom Diwai vs Royals; Women’s Pool B – Kone Storms vs SSG Roosters.