League launches Super 9s

By JACK AMI
THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League National Super Nines will kick off on February 17-18 at the National Sports Institute, Goroka, Eastern Highlands.
The National Super Nines draw was released yesterday at a press conference at the National Football Stadium fronted by Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka, chief executive officer Reatau Rau, competition manager Toksy Nema and PNG National Rugby League Competition manager Stanley Hondina.
Tsaka said initial plans for a national age group nines tournament was shelved in 2016, however with the Commonwealth Nines tournament set for April the league had revived the concept to pick a team for the Under-23 tournament which will be held at Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe, Queensland from Feb 23-24.
Tau said PNG were the defending champions after their winning the inaugural event in 2014 which was held before the Glasgow Games.
PNG had sent an U20 side to the 2014 event but this year’s event has been upgraded to a U23 tournament and the PNGRFL adjusted the tournament in Goroka to be for U23s.
“This tournament has an age restrictions of 23 years and below which is important as our players will need to have proof of age through birth certificates or other verifiable documents,” Tau said.
“PNG also won the gold medal in the nines competition at the Pacific Games so we have a history of success at the international events,” Tsaka said.
Tsaka said the training squad would be announced with the coaching staff immediately after the tournament with a week-long camp in Port Moresby before a final squad was named.
“The selection of coaching staff will be based on merit. Only certified coaches, trainers and managers will be considered,” he said.
Tsaka said the invitational teams were Madang and Mt Hagen.
“We have the four confederations, Southern, Northern, Highlands, New Guinea Islands as well as teams from the 10 PNGNRLC Digicel Cup franchises in the Mendi Muruks, NCD Vipers, Goroka Lahanis, Enga Mioks, Rabaul Gurias, Lae Tigers, Hela Wigmen, Waghi Tumbe, Gulf Isou and Simbu Warriors in four pools of four.”
The competition managers Nema and Hondina will run the event.
Hondina said that referees would be able to communicate with officials on the sideline through wireless technology which would be trialed for the first time at the national 9s.
“Apart from the wireless technology our referees will use for the first time at the national 9s, we’ll also be upskilling the knowledge and understanding of coaches and referees involved.”
Meanwhile, Tsaka urged confederations not to charge levy fees on players attending the tournament as the PNGRFL was meeting all the costs for all participating teams.