PNGRFL makes call

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea National Rugby League Competition manager Stanley Hondina says the Port Moresby Vipers could re-enter the Queensland Cup alongside the SP Hunters.
He said during the Vipers’ awards night on Thursday that the city’s flagship team had competed in the second-tier Australian competition in the 1990s.
The Digicel Cup boss made the statement on behalf of PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka who was unable to attend the event.
“The other message that he (Tsaka) asked me to pass on is that the Vipers have already been in the Queensland Cup,” Hondina said.
“If we can have another team from PNG out there, he (Tsaka) wants it to be the Vipers.
“The Vipers have been there and they can do it.”
National Capital District Governor and Vipers patron Powes Parkop said the club had a long-term goal of securing Queensland Cup re-entry.
Meanwhile, he said the Vipers’ home ground, Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, would be ready by next year.
“The new home venue will have world-class facilities, including a club house for the Vipers,” Parkop said.
“There are also more sponsors who are willing to support the team next after seeing the Vipers’ successes this season.
“With the support, the Vipers will come back stronger next year.”
He congratulated the Vipers, who finished the Digicel Cup regular season in fourth place, for reaching the finals for the first time in six years.