Warriors return home

THE Simbu Provincial Government will make a bid for the re-entry of the Simbu Warriors into the 2016 Papua New Guinea National Rugby League semi-professional competition.

Simbu Governor Noah Kool in a statement to advise TNA Simbu Lions franchise owner Gerard Philips said that it was by popular demand from the people for their own team.

Kool said as the representative of the people he would follow their wishes and aspirations with rugby league and they would retain the right to use ‘Simbu’in their team’s name.

He informed Phillip that the Dickon Oval would be the home ground of the Simbu Warriors rugby league club.

The governor said that the land belongs to the Simbu Provincial Government and they had made a decision that it would be the home ground of the Warriors.

The expression of interest and K50,000 bid fee which is non-refundable is yet to be submitted to the PNGNRL board headed by Sudhir Guru, before it decides on all bid for the 2016 season.

TNA Lions franchise owner Philips has responded to the moves by the provincial government by relocating his franchise to the national capital and investing K2 million into building the club’s base in 6-Mile.

Phillips said he was confident the Lions, who made the grand final last year, would still garner a following. 

He has retained eight players from the 2015 Lions team and recruited more from the Port Moresby.

The franchise owner is willing to invest and continue with the Lions to promote and develop players.

Phillips has secured the services of Kumul legend Stanley Gene, who is based in England, as a director of the club, while former Vipers coach Leonard Tarum replaced Hans Kaybing for the 2016 season as the Lions look to capitalise on the achievements of 2015.