Paula DAVID

A determined Knights side ended an eight-year hoodoo against the Storm to keep their finals hopes alive with a 26-18 triumph at a packed McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. Buoyed by the support of home fans who had turned up early to cheer the club's premiership winning NRLW team, Newcastle came from 12-0 down after conceding two early tries to overpower the Storm. The turning point was the sin-binning of Melbourne forward Tariq Sims five minutes before half-time for a high shot on Knights halfback Jackson Hastings and the home side piled on three tries in his absence. The Knights hung on in the second half to end an 11-match losing streak against the Storm since 2015 and move within one point of the top eight. The Storm off got to a flying start when fullback Nick Meaney swooped on a loose ball and raced 75 metres to score in just the third minute of the match. Newcastle had lost their previous 11 matches against the Storm and the hoodoo appeared set to continue when Melbourne forward Trent Loiero crashed over in the eighth minute and Meaney's conversion gave the visitors a 12-0 lead. However, the Knights got back in the game after a dropped ball by Melbourne winger Will Warbrick gave them attacking field position and winger Dom Young scored off a tap-on pass by Dane Gagai. With momentum turning in favour of the home team, Jackson Hastings put Bradman Best over in the 32nd minute to reduce the Storm's lead to 12-10 after the conversion by Kalyn Ponga. The Knights then scored three unanswered tries while Sims was in the sinbin for a high shot on Hastings to take an 18-12 halftime lead. Greg Marzhew was the first to cross in the 36th minute after five-eighth Tyson Gamble stepped across the face of the defence before linking with Best to put the winger over out wide. Lachlan Fitzgibbon then scored one of the best tries of the season after the Knights shifted the ball through 10 sets of hands, with Tyson Frizell and Jackson Hastings handle twice, in the 39th minute. Ponga missed both conversions but Newcastle showed their intent to carry on with the job when Matt Croker scored in the 45th minute as Sims was waiting to return to the field. The Knights only other points came from a 75th minute Ponga penalty goal but their defence limited the Storm to just one second half try through Papua New Guinea centre Justin Olam and they hung on to win. Source: NRL.com

Schools around the country can now save all their data on a new information management system after the Department of Education developed a software application or platform to streamline and automate various administrative tasks within an education institution. The School Information Management System (SIMS) for PNG schools serves as a centralized database to store, manage and retrieve information related to students, teachers, schools timetabling, attendance, assessments and other relevant information for students and teachers. The system has five features: · Students biodata/Information; allows administrators to store and manage data for new continuing and transfer-in students. It includes personal details, contact information, medical records and other personal information for a student. · Teacher Bio-data/Information; allows administrators to store and manage teachers’ data including teachers’ personal details, contact addresses, qualification, medical information, family information and further allows principals and inspectors to add reports and remarks on the performance of a teacher. · Timetabling; the system has a feature to allow deputy academic principals to create/set the timetable of each class for school academic year. · Attendance tracking; the system enables schools to track students’ and teachers’ attendance and generate reports. · Assessment data; the system allows teachers to add and view students; assessment data. Principals from fifteen (15) secondary schools and three (3) junior high schools in the National Capital District were introduced to the “School Information Management System” (SIMS) on July 20th. Secretary for Education Dr. Uke Kombra attended the School Information Management System introductory session hosted by the Department of Education ICT team at Butuka Academy and asked the principals to cooperate and work to improve teaching, learning and academic performance of schools. Dr. Kombra said schools and enrolments are increasing dramatically annually and every school’s information needs to be captured in a centralized and single standardized system. “Our management systems must be up to date with the change in systems globally. Technology must be the way forward for us in order to manage our schools and to help manage our education system.” Dr. Kombra asked the schools heads to take leadership in the training and make the awareness to schools, teachers and parents. The project will be trialed in NCD and later launched and rolled out to the rest of the country. Also, the system will be trialed with secondary schools followed by primary schools.

The Broncos have staked their premiership credentials, overcoming the Rabbitohs 36-20 in front of a sellout crowd at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday night. Despite losing two of their men to the sin bin during the match, the Brisbane powerhouse dominated the error-riddled Rabbitohs with Adam Reynolds producing an attacking masterclass against his former club and star backs Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs putting on a show in front of the Broncos faithful. It was Alex Johnston who opened the Rabbitohs account in the fifth minute thanks to some quick hands out to the left edge. But four minutes later the Broncos hit back through centre Staggs, thanks to a lobbed pass to the right from returning fullback Walsh. Come the 11th minute and Martin Taupau was sent to the sin bin for a bizarre incident involving the forward lifting his knee into contact with incoming Rabbitoh defender Campbell Graham. Having only conceded a Blake Taffe penalty goal while down to a 12-man disadvantage, the Broncos made up for any lost momentum when Walsh racked his second try assist, creating space for Selwyn Cobbo to strike on their right edge. Just as the Broncos looked to be heading into the break with a four-point lead, Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook and centre Graham combined on the stroke of halftime, to put the Rabbitohs in front 14-12. The opening of the second stanza was all Reece Walsh when the Maroons fullback looked to get one back for the Broncos before Johnston chased the 21-year-old down and dragged him into touch inches before the line. But seemingly determined to make up for lost time after three weeks on the sideline, the Broncos star had a point to prove, slicing again through South Sydney's defence from 40m downfield and this time finding the line in the 50th minute. Adam Reynolds converted to give the Broncos an 18-14 lead. The Broncos looked to be winning the arm wrestle when forward Xavier Willison crossed for his 3rd career try four minutes before Staggs bagged made it a double on the right edge. But come the 68th minute and ill-discipline started to take its toll for the visitors when winger Jesse Arthars was sin binned for a high tackle on fullback Blake Taffe. This time Jason Demetriou's men were quick to capitalise on the extra man and a Cody Walker offload to centre Isaiah Tass saw the Rabbitohs cross left of the posts and reduce the deficit 30-20 with ten minutes to play. While the Rabbitohs were looking to kickstart a comeback,  Reynolds ensured the Round 21 match was the Broncos' with a 75 minute try to put the finishing touches on a great night out for the veteran halfback. Source: NRL.Com Recording their third-straight victory, the Broncos moved to top of the leaderboard while the Rabbitohs have been left clinging onto life in the top eight.

The NRL Telstra Premiership returns to the Sunshine Coast for the second time in 2023 with South Sydney playing host to the Broncos in an expected blockbuster on Friday night. The Rabbitohs are fresh off a bye - only their second of the season - and will be looking to get into a groove with State of Origin now over and a host of troops expected back in the coming weeks. The Broncos weren't at their best defensively against the Bulldogs, conceding 24 points at Belmore, but were too good in attack as they continue to put pressure on the Panthers for top spot on the ladder. Both these sides met earlier in the season with the Bunnies handing the Broncos a reality check on home turf with a 32-6 thumping at Suncorp Stadium. These are the matches the Broncos will need to start nailing if they are to prove themselves as genuine premiership contenders in 2023. You get the feeling South Sydney's final six weeks in the competition will be electrifying as they make a run towards the finals.

The official launch of the PNG NRL BID to be the 18th NRL team was launched Wednesday night at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby. PNG NRL BID Chairman Mr Wapu Sonk said, they have been working closely with all stakeholders as well as taking that major step forward (last week) with the first ever Academy for elite junior players as one of the requirements to be eligible to be in the BID. “We’ve been basically working with all the stakeholders, the Australian stakeholders & government, NRL, PNG Stakeholders & government as well.” “Most of it has been really about listening and trying to get the structures right so it will stand up (BID).” “It’s not just a team, it’s a company we’re upgrading so where we are now is to launch and start the program.” Mr Sonk said, the committees are working on getting the license in 2025 and hopefully participate by 2027. Meanwhile, the Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Mr Pat Conroy said, they will invest $5.5 million (K13.4 million) to further support PNG’s NRL BID in its business case, the schoolboys and girls’ competition and to provide funding for a skills academy (Centre of Excellence). Conroy said, to have a franchise team, PNG needs to start developing young elite players and that’s the step they’re taking now. “I’m really proud to announce five and a half million dollars as a token of our support because we cannot think of anything but bringing the people of PNG and Australia closer together than a rugby league team here.” Minister Conroy said, there are other teams biding to be the 18th NRL Team but word from the Australian Prime Minister is that he wants to see a Papua New Guinean Team in the NRL by 2025. “As Prime Minister Albanese said, he wants to see the 18th team being of Papua New Guinean identity.” “So there’s other franchise and I respect them, but I want to see a PNG team playing in the NRL to honour the shared history between our 2 countries.”

Eels halfback Mitchell Moses is under no illusions about the challenge facing his side ahead of arguably the toughest run home in the competition. While they head into Round 21 sitting 7th on the Telstra Premiership ladder, just 48 differential points separate them and the ninth-placed Cowboys, who are the NRL's form team with five-straight wins to their name. While no club is secured in the eight heading into the final seven rounds of the season, Parramatta find themselves in a particularly tricky spot given the remaining games on their fixture list. Half of their six encounters (the club has a bye in Round 27) are against sides currently sitting inside the top four, plus this Saturday's meeting with the red-hot Cowboys. Just two of those games are at CommBank Stadium where the Eels have been tough to beat this year, and all three clashes against top four sides occur on the road, with trips to Melbourne, Brisbane and Penrith awaiting Brad Arthur's men. They'll also have to get the job done over the next month without two of their most experienced players, after winger Maika Sivo and representative prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard each received four-game bans for incidents arising from last week's 25-24 win over the Titans. Moses said while it's set to be a huge challenge, he believes if they can emerge from it inside the top eight it will serve them well for the finals. "It's a big test for us coming to the end of the season. We have got to string a few wins together to hopefully cement our spot in the eight," he said. We have got a fair few away games against some really quality teams. We are going to miss a few players now as well... it's going to be a tough road for us. Mitchell Moses "Hopefully, if we are playing finals at the end of the year, it's a good test and good prep I guess. "We know what we need to do to win footy games and if we can stick to our game plans and what works well for us, we will give ourselves a good chance to win games at the end of the year." Having earlier this year agreed to a new deal with the club through to the end of 2026, with player options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, Moses continued an impressive campaign by earning selection in the NSW squad for Games Two and Three of this year's Origin series. Despite losing the series, the 28-year-old said he's hoping the confidence he gained from helping the Blues to victory in Game III earlier this month will rub off on the Eels over the next month and a half. "It was a good experience... any time you can win a game in that arena is pretty good," Moses said. "I felt comfortable in that last game and hopefully I can take a bit of confidence out of that and take it into the end of the season. "I have played in a few big games now and definitely learned from a lot of those games." Saturday night's clash with the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium will be the first time the two sides have met in Townsville since last year's thrilling preliminary final, which saw the Eels win 24-20 and advance to the Grand Final. Source: NRL.Com

Ahead of the 2023 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup (DXMC) Cross over rounds, the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition are preparing for a trouble-free competition for the next 3 rounds which will be held only in Port Moresby and in Lae. PNG National Rugby League Committee General Manager Mr. Leith Isaac said this simply means that teams in Pool A can now challenge teams in Pool B. This weekend will see 6 matches to be played in Round 14. The Santos NFS will host 4 games and that’s the Central Dabaris to take on Mt. Hagen Eagles, ENB Agmark Gurias Vs PRK Mendi Muruks on Saturday and the Kroton Hela Wigmen will verse WNBPG & Kimbe Cutters & Enga Mioks Vs POM Vipers on Sunday. And over in Lae, the Goroka Lahanis to take on PRK Gulf Isou & Lae Snax Tigers to take on EMK Sepik Pride on Sunday. Tickets are on sale as off today at all selected outlets and all prices remain the same except the grandstand area has increased from K25. 00 to K30. 00. “We have had talks with both our Airline partners Air Nuigini and PNG Air to book all flights in advance to make sure there no disruptions before this weekend.” Mr. Isaac said, they have had a couple of issues that they have dealt with accordingly especially in Round 8 and & Round 10 and are calling on all 12 franchise teams to have a trouble-free match for the remaining rounds in the competition. “The board has made some decisions regarding some of the issues where we have fined 3 franchises, the Goroka Lahanis, Lae Snax Tigers and Mendi Muruks K10, 000 each accordingly for misconduct.” To ensure the game runs smoothly on a professional level, the PNG NRLC has banned one team official from the Lae Snax Tigers for 5years, some match officials (Referees & post-match officials) have also been suspended, 1 coach for 2 matches (this week will be his last match ban). “In doing so with some of the actions we have taken to ensure the completion is successfully played out without any further hiccups’ experienced in the other rounds, we have taken these steps to make sure the rules and regulations are maintained in the next couple of rounds.” Meanwhile, Competition Manager Mr. Joseph Paul said, after having the coach’s workshop last week Friday, they are hoping for all 12 franchise teams to have a good relationship and to know their code of conducts. “We have very pleased with that workshop as all team coach’s had the chance to interact and better know the codes because that’s the whole purpose of the workshop.” “All arrangements are fixed, and we are looking forward to kick of the first round of the Cross Over Rounds this weekend.” He is appealing again to all teams to play according to the rules and let the referees rule the calls while on field.

Gaipu Elementary School will finally receive the much-needed renovations after being neglected due to the deteriorated classrooms forcing more than 100 children to miss out on classes. The school is located in Ward 8 of Labuta LLG in Morobe Province. However, this will soon be a thing of the past. Nawaeb MP Hon Theo Pelgen visited the school on Friday and gave assurance that the school will be given a facelift in terms of its classrooms and facilities. He was accompanied by NDDA CEO Buds Botikie, Labuta LLG Manager Samuel Kamake and the Nawaeb District Technical Advisory Team. MP Plegen said this school he had visited during his campaign back in 2022 and made commitment that he will ensure to attend to the school if he was elected. “Bai yumi kisim wanpla sawmill, na asples upla yet makim diwai na cutim no wokim classroom blo pikinini.” He said roofing iron and nails will be provided under the District Education Support Funds. “We anticipate to build two times two in one classrooms and a SME centre room as well for mothers & youth to use for SME activities.” MP Pelgen said a similar construction was done for Singaua Primary School at Ward 11 of Labuta LLG and this would be the standard model for schools in Nawaeb District that need infrastructure support. “Displa sawmill where District bai baim em bai olgeta schools lo LLG bai usim to na helpim lo wokim classroom blo ol skul blo pikinini. Asples mas makim diwai blo ol yet na katim timba blo skul.” MP Pelgen talked with the teacher in charge to approach his office this week to ensure the commitment made is paid for and work begins for the school facelift immediately. Meanwhile, work is progressing rapidly for the Oligiduc Water Supply project located at Ward 1 of Labuta LLG. The Water Supply project received K100, 000 funding through Nawaeb MP Hon Theo Pelgen and Nawaeb DDA in June this year. Work commenced in July and it is highly anticipated that by August, villagers will start accessing water at the comfort of their homes once more. This project stems from a visit in May by Nawaeb District Administration Team headed by CEO Mr Buds Botikie with National Planning, Finance, Treasury, Works, and Nawaeb District Technical Advisory Team (Allied Resources Limited) to the area. Mr Botikie said more work emphasis will be given to the neglected areas of Nawaeb District in this term of Government all of which are identified in the Nawaeb District Five Year Development Plan to be launched soon.

South Sydney centre Campbell Graham will remain at the club for a further three years after signing a contract extension until at least the end of the 2027 season. Graham, who toured with the Kangaroos in their successful World Cup campaign last year, is on the comeback trail from a sternum injury after missing potential selection in the recent State of Origin series. The 24-year-old has been a mainstay in the Rabbitohs line-up since making his NRL debut in 2017 as a teenager with 125 appearances. Source: NRL.Com

Anitua Limited will be co-hosting the Trukai Fun Run (TFR) this year as the official organizing partner on Lihir Island. "We accepted the invite from Trukai Industries Ltd (TIL) to host this event on their behalf on Lihir because we see this is a great platform to purse our fundraising efforts to suppor Kavieng General Hospital", said Anitua Executive Director, Patrick Labongis. "Our Corporate Service team this year has focused its health advocacy on early detection and prevention of cancer. " We've been planning a number of fundraising initiatives to donate to the Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic at Kavieng General Hospital thus the Trukai Fun Run is timely," said Mr Labongis. While funds raised will go towards supports Team PNG to the 2023 Pacific Games, Anitua Ltd plans to donate its portion to Kavieng General Hospital's Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic as part of the company's effort to continue educating staff as well as Lihirians about the importance of early detection. " We are hoping to see at least 2000 participants paint Londolovit yellow with their TFR shirts on Sunday 20th August 2023," said Event Lead Nancy Gah. "Shirts will be selling at Anitua Supermarket, Anitua Corporate Services office and on the weekends at the Lihir Sports and Social Club. We encourage everyone on the island to buys a t- shirt and support two worthy causes," she said. Supporting the event in Lihir are Anitua Retail, NCS, Anitua Construction, Anitua Transport, Lihir Police and Newcrest. Mr Labongis said this is the first time Anitua Ltd is co-hosting the Trukai Fun Run with partnership with Trukai Industries Limited. "The landowner company looks forward to strengthening this relationship with TIL into the future, in line with the company's mission to "Build relationship with all external and internal stakeholders to enable a culture of operational excellence", he said.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has no dramas with Payne Haas testing the market and is confident the powerhouse prop will be wearing a Broncos jersey for the next decade. Contracted at the Broncos until the end of 2024, Haas is free to talk to rival clubs on November 1 and is sure to attract massive interest, but Walters believes the 24-year-old will remain at Red Hill. "Out of respect to Payne and his manager we are comfortable with what he is doing, but my thoughts personally are that he will be a Bronco for life," Walters said on Friday. "We’ve got a great environment here, Payne knows we want him to stay and he is also aware he loves being at the place, so I’m sure we can come to an agreement where both parties are happy. "It's not a distraction to the playing group because we are very respectful of each individual and their needs. Payne's a great player for us and he will continue to do that, his output is amazing. "You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that everyone would be interested in Payne but we are confident in the groundwork we have done here, not only with Payne but with all of our players that are coming off contract, that they want to stay here and be a Bronco and win. "We'll let it all unfold and we know Payne gives his all for whatever jersey he pulls on and he’ll be wearing a Broncos one for the next 10 years, I believe." The Broncos sit second on the ladder heading into Round 20 but will be without Pat Carrigan, Corey Oates and Haas for the game against the Bulldogs at Belmore. Haas is carrying an ankle injury while Carrigan is being rested after a tough Origin series, with both expected back in Round 21, but veteran winger Oates is facing six weeks out with a knee injury. The Bulldogs clash was to be the 28-year-old's 200th NRL game but that milestone will now go on hold until the end of the regular season or the finals. "I feel a bit sorry for Oatesy because he has had a tough year injury-wise," Walters said. "He's got a meniscus tear so he'll be out for 4-6 weeks depending on how well he recovers. "It was an innocuous incident at training, nothing in really, but sometimes the body doesn't hold up how you want it to. "He'll come back fresh and strong for hopefully the last couple of games into the  finals. Surgery will be the next step for him and then recovery." Walters revealed that Maroons star Carrigan had been "desperate to play" on Saturday but the decision was made to rest him. "We planned well for this week and trained well with the group that we've had here all week so I feel that's the best option for us," Walters said. "He can put his feet up and enjoy his Origin success and come back on Monday with his Broncos hat on and get ready for Souths." Source: NRL.Com

The major sponsor of the four-time national PNG champions the Lae Snax Tigers and a trusted and reputable company founded in 1972, the Lae Biscuits branding will appear on the back of the Sharks NRL shorts for the remainder of the 2023 season, beginning with their round 20 match on Sunday. As stated by Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta, this association with Lae Biscuits is a ground breaking partnership and is set to be of great benefit to both organisations. “The Lae Biscuit Company have been long time supporters of rugby league in PNG and we thank Ian Chow and Lae Biscuits for considering the Sharks as a viable partner as they look to spread their wings into the Australian market,” Mezzatesta began. “The Sharks trialled in PNG in 2020 and were exceptionally well received, with this partnership further cementing our relationship with the only country in the world where rugby league is the national sport. “This initial sponsorship with Lae Biscuits can only have massive upside for both and the hope would be to build this into a long-term partnership,” Mezzatesta said. In expressing similar sentiments, Lae Biscuit Company Chairman Ian Chow explained his organisation’s current connection to rugby league in PNG and his excitement around this opportunity to link with the Sharks and the NRL. “The Lae Snax Tigers are a big part of how PNG Rugby League has grown both locally and internationally,” Mr Chow stated. “As the owner-sponsor, through Snax brands, the Lae Biscuit Company has supported the Tigers for 13 years, spending millions of Kina, and having stability in good sponsorship has helped propel Lae Snax Tigers to higher levels. “The Cronulla Sharks being a powerful NRL team is similar in many ways to the Lae Snax Tigers in PNG. The Sharks won the 2016 NRL Grand Final, the same year the Snax Tigers won its first premiership in PNG. “This no coincidence. Fate has worked out as the Snax Tigers and Cronulla Sharks are now about to form a relationship and partnership that can hopefully be sustained for many years to come,” he added. From its humble beginnings, the Lae Biscuit Company has grown into the largest biscuit producer in the Pacific, with a newly opened factory and a Snax noodles line catering to the needs of every Papua New Guinean. The Lae Biscuit Company has continued to create employment opportunities, top notch customer service and quality product, while supporting the community by providing assistance to local projects, sporting events and disaster relief. However, in confirming their ongoing support of rugby league and the attraction of becoming involved with the NRL and the Sharks, is the impressive history of success for the Tigers since the inception of the domestic PNG competition in 2011 when the sponsorship of Lae Biscuts and the Snax brand began. The Lae Snax Tigers have won local premierships in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022, and they head into the upcoming Finals series placed second. They have appeared in five grand finals, while winning six minor premierships. The rugby league career of Storm premiership winning centre Justin Olam began with the Lae Snax Tigers, so too Edwin Ipape who plays for Leigh in the UK Superleague and is one of many from the club to have represented the PNG Kumuls. Stanley Tepend, the Coach of the Kumuls at the 2022 World Cup also hails from the Lae Snax Tigers, who in recent seasons have provided numerous players as a feeder club to the PNG Hunters who compete in the Queensland Cup competition. “The Lae Snax Tigers have good team culture, which has continued to build dating back to 2011,” Chow said. “We continue to educate our players in building good men off the field and have a sponsorship policy, paying all tuition fees for all higher education students playing for the Snax Tigers each year as part of their playing contracts. “This is enormous and unprecedented in PNG for a private company to do this. More than just a team and more the just a sponsor, the energy between Lae Biscuit Company and Lae Snax Tigers is highly valued and regarded in PNG,” said Chow proudly. The Lae Biscuit Company Limited logo will get its introduction to the NRL on the back right panel of the Sharks NRL shorts when they play the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday. Source: Sharks.com.au