PNGRFL praises tier-two comp

THE Highlands, New Guinea Islands and Northern Confederations have been urged to follow Southern’s lead by each establishing a regional tier-two competition as a pathway for raw talents across the country.
Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) chairman Sandis Tsaka praised the Southern Super League (SSL) for introducing a second-tier competition to expose and identify talented youngsters.
He made the comment during PNGRFL’s annual general meeting in Lae recently.
Tsaka said the initiative taken by SSL chairman Bagelo Solien and his board had reaped rewards with the SP Hunters recruiting Port Vipers Academy player Kingstimer Paraia for Queensland’s Hostplus Cup. Several players have also been picked up by Digicel Cup franchises.
Solien said it was satisfying to the recruitment of SSL National Gaming Control Cup players by semi-professional teams and the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Hunters.
“Frazer Anderson, Kenny Laho and Charlie Horope are with Digicel Cup side Gulf Isou,” he said.
“Gorden Negi, Gini Tau and Lote Kuman are with Central Dabaris, and several others are with Port Moresby Vipers.
“This is just the start of good things to come with our second season to kick off as soon as administrative matters are in order.
“I thank Sandis and Southern Confederation director Gwaibo Mairi for their support.
“I also thank Hunters head coach Matthew Church for selecting Paraia straight from SSL in our inaugural season.
“We are helping PNGRFL with a competition as another pathway to developing and preparing players for the Digicel Cup, Hunters and Kumuls.”
Solien said SSL was introduced as a feeder competition for Vipers, Isou and Dabaris, instead of the Southern Digicel Cup franchises poaching players from other regions.
“We are all about exposing, identifying and developing raw untapped talents from the National Capital District, Central, Gulf, Western, Northern and Milne Bay,” he said.
“We have an abundance of players who are capable of playing in the Digicel Cup.”