The 2026 Rigo Rice Cup grand final between the Morobe Pride and Mt Hagen’s 3rd City Rangers on Sunday November 08th, ended in a 20–20 draw, a result Morobe Pride head coach Mark Mexico said slipped away due to second-half defensive lapses that cost his team the championship title.

Mr. Mexico said the Pride began strongly and built a lead but were unable to maintain their defensive standards after halftime.

Their opponents capitalized on the openings, turning what had looked like a promising performance into an unexpected draw.

“We started well and had a good lead, but in the second half we became lax in defense and gave them easy opportunities.”

Despite the disappointment, he said he was proud of his players and their effort throughout the final.

The team had entered the match determined to win the cup, he said, but would now need to learn from the result and prepare for the next challenge.

Mr. Mexico also highlighted the Rigo Rice Cup’s role in developing emerging rugby league talent. He said players come from a range of backgrounds, including local competitions, clubs and schools, and that the tournament gives them a chance to improve their skills and gain wider recognition.

The competition, he said, provides a pathway for players to progress beyond the local rugby league and attract the attention of selectors and higher-level teams.

He also urged talent scouts to continue watching the players, pointing to opportunities such as the Digicel-Exxon Mobil Cup as a potential next step.

Meanwhile, the coach also spoke about the personal difficulties the team had faced while taking part in this competition.

He said the cost of living, including rent and housing expenses, has been a challenge over the past eight months and being away from their families has added significant strain to their journey.

Despite these hurdles, Mr. Mexico emphasized that the team will not allow those challenges to deter them, however, the team’s focus now will be on their preparation for the Ipatas Cup in two weeks.

For him, the grand-final draw was a setback, but not the end of the team’s progress, leaving the players with valuable lessons from the match as they continue to pursue opportunities and develop their game.