Southern Blacks hold off plans to bid for Digicel Cup

THE Southern Blacks have shelved plans to bid for next year’s Digicel Cup competition.
Southern Blacks board chairman Brown Murema and head coach Bagelo Solien said they would instead look to strengthening their competition and developing their infrastructure and programmes.
“We need more time to ensure that we have a venue, a good competition producing good players and we have the financial support,” Murema said.
He said even though Moresby South Rugby League had a venue (Sir Bill Skate Oval) and a competition to provide the player base, they wanted to be ready in all areas before entering a bid.
“We were advised by PNGNRLC manager Stanley Hondina that home ground is one of the main requirements for entry in the semi pro competition.
“Other franchises don’t have home grounds and yet they submitted their interest but we prefer to tick all the boxes before getting involved.”
Murema said the Moresby South mini stadium was still being developed and would be completed by mid 2019.
“We’ll be ready with the full support of our local MP Justin Tkatchenko and a major sponsor for 2020.
“We feel our bid will be one of the best in the competition and we want to have a professional structure like that of the PNG Hunters and the top Digicel teams like the Gurias and Tigers,” he said.