Pilai Piksa

24/09/2025

🏉🚨Media Release 🏉🚨

PNGRFL Prime Minister's XIII 2025

Port Moresby 22nd September 2025: The annual Prime Minister’s XIII rugby league clash between PNG and Australia is on again this year, coinciding with our 50th year independence celebrations.

The matches are scheduled for Sunday 12th October at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

The day will kick-off at 9am with the Junior Orchids to take on the Australian Schoolgirls, then the Junior Kumuls play the Australian Schoolboys at 11am.

The PM’s XIII women then take the field at 1pm, with the highly anticipated PM’s XIII men’s clash at 3pm to round out what is always an exciting day for players and spectators alike.

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Hondina, said this annual clash is a great opportunity for players from both countries to impress their coaches for further national duties.

“These games always provide a pathway for players from both countries, and the opportunity this provides for our juniors and the school children from Australia is quite significant as many of them can get selected to the senior sides, to feeder clubs and possibly the NRL and NRLW.”

Tickets are currently on sale at any of the participating Post PNG outlets at the following prices;

Eastern Stand K30, North/South Stands K50, Western Wings K80 and Grandstand K120.

All teams will be named next week in preparation for what will be another enthralling day for fans in Port Moresby.

The Prime Minister’s XIII games started in 2005 with the Men’s, while the Women’s joined in 2017 and then the juniors in 2023.

This annual event is used to promote rugby league as well as humanitarian causes by both the governments of PNG and Australia.

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24/09/2025

Lae Snax Tigers Coach Noel Noel Zeming.

24/09/2025

Throw Back.

2025 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Champions the Lae Snax Tigers pose with the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.

24/09/2025

Throw Back
2025 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Champions Lae Snax Tigers.

23/09/2025

Throw Back.
National Women’s Rugby League Competition. Santos Cup Grand Final.

23/09/2025

Supporters at the Santos National Football Stadium during Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Grand Final.

23/09/2025

Throw Back.
Women's National Rugby League Competition. Santos Cup Grand Final.

23/09/2025

Papua New Guinean singer-songwriter Chris Cobb who gained significant attention for his blind audition on The Voice Australia in August 2025, performed at the Santos National Football Stadium during the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Grand Final.

23/09/2025

Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition 2025 Season

Port Moresby 23rd September, 2025: The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) Board and Management wish to extend their sincere congratulations to the PNG National Rugby League Competitionn (PNGNRLC) for the exceptional success of the 2025 season, which included the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, Santos Cup, and the inaugural National Youth Competition.

The Grand Final matches held on the eve of PNG’s 50th Independence Anniversary became more than just a culmination of sporting excellence; they served as a celebration of PNG’s rich culture and sporting heritage. In collaboration with the PNG Government, the finals showcased the diversity and vibrancy of PNG cultures. Traditional dances from Manus province opened the event, paying homage to our cultural roots. The celebrations continued with star-studded performances by local artists including Chris Cobb, Mal Meninga Kuri, Didi Maru, and Wan Squad, captivating the audience and highlighting local talent.

Also in attendance was Prime Minister James Marape, Sports Minister Kinoka Feo, ExxonMobil PNG Chairman and Managing Director Dinesh Sivasamboo, CEO of Santos Kevin Gallagher, CEO of Telstra Vicki Brady, PNG NRL Club Chairman Ray Bid, Outgoing PNG NRL Club CEO Andrew Hill, SP PNG Hunters Chairman Stan Joyce, SP PNG Hunters CEO Scott barker and Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben ikin. Both cups and match balls were brought in by Papua New Guinea Defence Force Helicopters. The Santos Cup accompanied by PNG Orchids number one Cathy Neap, PNG Weightlifting legend and Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist Dika Toua, PNG Veteran Powerlifter Linda Pulsan, PNG Track star Rellie Kaputin, PNG Lakatoi Captain Ramona Padio and Santos PNG Orchids Chairlady Celestine Ove. The Digicel ExxonMobil Cup was brought in by PNG Veteran Swimmer and Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Ryan Pini, Former PNG Kumuls and Super League star Stanley Gene, Former Kumuls and NRL players Justin Olam and David Mead, PNG Veteran Sprinter Takale Tuna and Digicel PNG Chief Executive Officer Tariq Boudiaf.

PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka, in his congratulatory speech, acknowledged the tremendous progress made by the PNGNRLC during the 2025 season. Despite some challenges, the season highlighted significant growth in PNG rugby league, driven by a commitment to structuring the game professionally. The season saw the implementation of rigorous training programs for game officials, increased coaching support for clubs, and a fully active judiciary system to ensure fairness and discipline.

Commemorations from the PNGRFL Board to chairman Adrian Chow and your PNGNRLC Board and management team for this successful season again. You have done us all proud and we remain excited about the future of the competition ahead.

“We are immensely proud that the PNGNRLC 2025 Season Grand Final for the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup and Santos Cup was used to honour our sporting legends across all codes for PNG 50th Independence Anniversary. Sports is a unifying factor for Papua New Guinea and that is always on showcase for any sporting event, including rugby league. PNG turns 50 and PNGRFL stays committed to the growth of rugby league that ensures pathways and growth of the game, as PNG National Sport, is felt across the country for the next 50 years and onwards”
“To the Grand Finalist winners, a congratulation and a job well done for coming out on top as the 2025 Grand Finalist Champions. The Lae Snax tigers turning the tables and beating the Minor Premiers, PRK Mendi Muruks, showcasing the clubs’ overall capabilities of motivating their 18 men team to come out as champions. For the Santos Cup, a true rivalry in the making as the same teams from the 2024 season met again, with the Gas Resources Central Dabari taking the win against the 2024 season champions Bintangor Goroka Lahanis. What a great class of rugby league witnessed not only in PNG but telecasted into Australia by NRL. I congratulated both clubs again on their win for the 2025 Season.”

“For PNGRFL, the development and growth of PNGNRLC to be able to deliver the NRL standard of rugby league has been key for us in the last 5 years. The 2025 season has showcased that growth for PNGNRLC with a robust and rigorous judiciary system delivering charges after each round, the consistent development of our PNG Referees with Queensland Rugby League providing training throughout the season, the improvements to our social media pages to allow our followers to be informed and engaged with the competitions and our ongoing partnerships with each franchise to ensure their growth alongside PNGNRLC.” Said Mr Tsaka.

The Digicel ExxonMobil Cup competition is held over 22 rounds where 18 are regular rounds and 4 finals round, there are 12 participating franchises, the 2025 season is the 36th season. The Santos Cup is the national women’s rugby league competition and is delivered over 7 rounds with two finals round, this is the second year of competition with a total of 6 franchises participating. The National Youth Competition was held mid-season (May 2025) and was a 7-round competition with 2 finals round, a total of 6 franchises participated.

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Source: PNGRFL

22/09/2025

PM’s XIII Rugby League Returns to Port Moresby for PNG’s 50th Independence Celebrations.

Rugby league’s biggest exhibition clash is back and this year, it’s extra special. The Prime Minister’s XIII matches will light up Port Moresby on Sunday, 12th October 2025, as Papua New Guinea celebrates 50 years of independence in true rugby league fashion.

Fans at the Santos National Football Stadium can look forward to a full day of action. The Junior Orchids take on the Australian Schoolgirls at 9:00am, before the Junior Kumuls face the Australian Schoolboys at 11:00am. Then at 1:00pm, the Women’s PM’s XIII clash promises fireworks before the main event, the Men’s PM’s XIII showdown at 3:00pm, a fixture that never fails to deliver drama.
PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina said the matches are more than just a game.

“These games always provide a pathway for players from both countries, and the opportunity this provides for our juniors and the school children from Australia is quite significant as many of them can get selected to the senior sides, to feeder clubs and possibly the NRL and NRLW,” Hondina explained.

Tickets are already available at Post PNG outlets: K30 for the Eastern Stand, K50 for the North and South Stands, K80 for the Western Wings, and K120 for the Grandstand.

The PM’s XIII concept, which began in 2005 with the men’s match, has grown to include the women’s (2017) and junior divisions (2023). Aside from the action on the field, the series also carries an important message, promoting humanitarian causes through the partnership of the PNG and Australian governments.

21/09/2025

21/09/2025

Congratulations to the POM VIPERS for an outstanding performance – going undefeated throughout the 2-Day Kokomos 9’s Competition and proudly claiming the Kokomos 9’s Cup! 🎉💪