Teams get home games

By ROBINSON LEKA
ENGA, Jiwaka, East New Britain and West New Britain will host Digicel Cup matches for the first time this season with organisers allowing a crowd capacity of only 40 per cent at each venue.
Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) manager Ora Gairo told The National yesterday that Port Moresby’s Oil Search National Football Stadium would remain at 30 per cent crowd capacity for this weekend.
“Games will take place at all venues, spectators will be allowed,” he said.
“Port Moresby will remain at 30 per cent capacity for now, even when we were given 40 per cent by the National Control Centre.
“Otherwise, the venues outside will be at 40 per cent this weekend.”
Waghi Tumbe will host Mt Hagen Eagles in Minj on Sunday (2pm kick-off) while Enga Mioks host Central Dabaris at Johnson Siki Oval (2pm) on the same day.
In the New Guinea Islands, Rabaul Gurias will face visitors Gulf Isou at Kalabond Oval tomorrow (2pm) and Kimbe Cutters will host 2018 champions Goroka Lahanis at Humphrey’s Oval on Sunday (2pm).
PNGNRLC had said earlier that matches for the first six rounds would be held in Port Moresby and Lae only. Oil Search National Football Stadium and Lae Rugby League Ground officials were tasked to monitor the movement of teams and players under PNGNRLC’s return-to-sport protocols.
With the competition free of Covid-19 since the June 5 season kick-off, PNGNRLC and the PNG Rugby Football League have approved other venues to host games for the next five rounds.