The 2025 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Season has been officially launched with Round One (1) set for this Sunday 13th of April in Lae city, bringing in a season with so many expectations. The eventful launching took place last evening at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby city where guests witnessed the display of the Cup and the captains of all twelve (12) franchises in full display of their club outfits. Tony Archer - General Manager, Pathways and Performance, in his opening remarks, reflected on the 2024 Season, hailing it a success, but stressed that things are hitting up especially with the big announcement of 12th December 2024. He said the announcement of Papua New Guinea entering the Australian NRL Competition by 2028 now means the competition will lift its game, putting in more drive into the competition and contributing to further the development of rugby league in the lead up to 2028. The success of the development of rugby league, he said, depends now on everyone in the sport working together. “From 2025 we know it (rugby league) is going to improve while everyone is connected between community rugby league, PNG NRLC, Digicel ExxonMobil, and our youth comp and Santos, with the Hunters and with the NRL franchise. All of those connecting is what’s going to make rugby league in this country great,” said Mr. Archer. Also, one of the expectations is for rule changes in this season as is the case with most rugby league competitions worldwide, but the answer from Mr. Archer is a big no. “Rarely in rugby league do we go ahead without changing the rules, but for this year, there’s no real change to any of the laws of this competition. The Digicel ExxonMobil Cup competition will run under exactly the same rules as last year, as you’ve seen in all games around the world this year. So, it’s a realization that we change the rules too often, but the changing of the rules in a lot of cases has made our game better, but for this year no rule changes,” he said. Digicel PNG Senior Vice President Lorna McPherson who spoke as one of the main sponsors, talked about the partnership in driving the development of rugby league in PNG. "Previously, it was the Digicel Cup, now Digicel ExxonMobil Cup and I think it's about celebrating two partnerships between Digicel and ExxonMobil. We proudly stand as naming right sponsors, a collaboration that’s built on sheer commitment to nurture the growth of rugby league throughout Papua New Guinea,” said McPherson. Meanwhile, this Sunday’s Round 1 match will be between the Rabaul Agmark Gurias and the Lae Snax Tigers. The match will take place at the Lae League Oval at 3pm in the afternoon.