The best of PNG rugby league talent in Australia are preparing to assemble for the upcoming Kokomos Rugby League Nines tournament.
“For the third year running, we are happy to be hosting 10 of the hottest PNG Rugby League Nines teams in Australia, competing for championship honours and $5000 in cash,” Tom Adamson, President of the Queensland PNG Rugby League, said.
“If last year’s tournament is anything to go by we are about to be treated to some fast and furious Nines football.”
It all kicks off at 9am on Saturday, September 24, at Bill Norris Oval, Boundary Rd, Beenleigh.
Last year’s championship winners CDMC will return in attempt to make it back-to-back titles.
The CDMC team includes former Kumuls Steve Franciscus and Trevor Exton.
It also includes the exciting Wickham brothers, Eli and Shawn who have both had extensive rep careers.
Last year’s Player of the Carnival Anthony Hoepper will also feature in their campaign for a repeat victory.
The 2015 runner’s up Masailes will be campaigning to go one better this year.
They are young team whose flashy and flamboyant play nearly upset the more experienced CDMC, going try-for-try in the final, only losing by a narrow margin.
Players to watch for the team is Willie Malala who was the top try scorer for the 2015 Kokomos 9s event.
New team Logan Central will be captained by Joey Seeto andfeatures former Kumul Josh Damen.
This team also includes PNG World Cup touch player Ryan Endihipa and Kokomos representatives Zeb Samuels and Terence Baupua. Jonathon Kent, former Under 20 Canberra Raiders player is the vice-captain.
Another new entrant West Papua Warriors, are coming from PNG to take part in the Nines tournament.
The Warriors are captained by heavyweight boxer Tala Kami. The multi-talented Kami will also be representing NCD as a heavyweight in the 2016 PNG Games being held in Kimbe in November.
Western Australian team Red Dust returns, with excitement machine Jordan Jacob who is back from injury.
After a season with the Vipers and Parramatta feeder club, Wentworthville, Harry Lohia returns for the Hiritano Jets, a team that also features Kokomos rep players Jonathon Ilau and Reni Willcock; while another former Kumul, five-eighth Glen Nami leads the O’Wan Titans.
QLD PNG Rugby League head coach and former PNG Kumul Elias Paiyo will be on hand to review the talent on display and to make representative selections for the QLD PNG Kokomos team to compete in the upcoming Queensland Pacific Island Cultural Carnival (QPICC) supported by the QRL.
The draw for this event is yet to be advised.
Find out more about QLD PNG Rugby League on their website.
Pool A
1. West Papua Warriors, 2. O’Wan Titans, 3. Mek Brothers, 4. Hiritano Jets, 5. CDMC
Pool B
1. Logan Central, 2. Red Dust, 3. Logan Central, 4. Tamioks, 5. Masailes
*Media Accreditation is required for this event. All requests for accreditation to be emailed to mediamanager@qldpngrugbyleague.com.
