POMRFL kicks off pre-season nines tourney

THE Port Moresby Rugby Football League (POMRFL) kicked off its pre-season nines tournament on Saturday, with 40 teams participating across the men’s and women’s divisions.
League administrator Meke Maino told The National that the pre-season would run for two weekends with four invitational sides added to the tournament.
“Apart from the 14 POMRFL clubs, we have invited four teams which are Saroa Raiders, SSG Roosters, Funeral Home Laumas and Walia,” he said.
“We have completed our draws for 32 men’s teams and eight women’s sides.
“The men’s will be playing in eight pools that are made up of four teams while the women will just have two pools (four teams each).
“Straight after the tournament, we move into our regular 13s season.
“The POMRFL affiliated clubs must use this tournament to see their numbers and finalise their teams and players for the season.
“We’re hoping that our sponsors will be backing us.
“The most important thing for us this year is that we’ve managed to continue the legacy of POMRFL for its 72nd year uninterrupted.”
He said the under the Banis Protocols, the tournament would be played behind closed doors with strict access to players and officials.
Meanwhile, referees’ internal politics delayed the tournament kick-off at the National Football Stadium, according to an official.
League junior vice-president Manu Lofena said poor management and administration was unbecoming of referees.
“I will advise chairman Dr James Naipao and senior vice-president Wari Varage to terminate all these so-called referees involved in the slow start to the nines tournament,” he said.
“This attitude by very senior referees is causing indifference between the Digicel Cup and our league where they started their careers.
“We are now extending an invitation to young, energetic men and women to be referees as most of the current ones are aging and unfit.
“We have the funds to train new referees.”