Ropens eager to defend Snax Nines rugby league title

By LARRY ANDREW
ACA Ropens are eager to begin their title defence on a high note when the Snax Nines rugby league tournament kicks off at the Lae Rugby League Ground tomorrow.
The Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored tournament, now in its seventh year, has attracted 32 teams from Morobe and other provinces as they vie for a share of K32,000 in prize money.
Back-to-back winners Ropens are in Pool A alongside 15 City Rooters, Giluwe Ice Breakers and Bulolo Pines.
The previous winners were Owan Titans (2014), 13A Bulldogs (2015) and LBC Spiders (2016-2017) with Ropens claiming the last two tournaments.
Ropens captain McQuinn Gabriel told The National that they had prepared well for their title defence.
“We have many young players who have filled the void left behind by some of our senior players,” he said.
“Some of our younger players have represented the Northern Zone and Papua New Guinea at the junior level.
“Most of our players are new and are from the Lae schoolboys’ rugby league competition.
“We’re counting on them to step up against teams that will field Digicel Cup and former PNG Kumuls players.
“Playing against some of the top players in the country, it will give us the experience to continue developing our skills.”
The Snax Nines will end with the finals on Saturday.
The teams have been divided into eight pools.
Pool A— Aca Ropen, 15 City Rooters, Giluwe Ice Breakers, Bulolo Pines; Pool B — Owan Titans, Page Park Cowboys, Sambo Rindy, Igam Masalai; Pool C — 1134 Spartans, Palawa Magani, Speedway Rollers, Prum Panthers; Pool D — Janesta Tigers, Blue Heelers, Komon Kuu, Kinpa United; Pool E — LBC Spiders, 13A Bulldogs, Ngamahen HSD, Hi Co Jets; Pool F — Black Panthers, 5 Star Roosters, Gepz Tigers, Erave Hounvilles; Pool G — Puapu Reds, Bomai Yal, Tambul Ice Victims, Umoka Brothers; Pool H — Nayo Budgers, 14B Pirates, 11C Maons, Enga Laimas.