With restrictions starting to ease and clubs across the state following the steps outlined in the Queensland Rugby League's Return to Play guidelines, there is hope for rugby league to get off the ground again soon.
Further north, the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC), have also been hard at work to try and get the game running safely, and at this stage, are aiming to have the Digicel Cup competition running by the weekend of July 4-5.
With the Intrust Super Cup season called off for the year, PNGRFL and PNGNRLC authorities have allowed the PNG Hunters to take part in the national competition, with The National reporting the Hunters program would be maintained with its “core staff”.
Queensland Rugby League has also shared the QRL and Queensland Government guidelines around return to play with PNGNRLC manager Stanley Hondina, who is aware of what measures need to be in place.
A number of Hunters players have been allocated to various clubs in the Digicel Cup with the aim of keeping them fit and working towards the 2021, while also helping to strengthen the local competition.
Digicel Cup revised fixture - 2020
PNG national coaching director and former Intrust Super Cup premiership-winning coach Michael Marum told Post Courier the competition would be useful to help select a national team if the international matches scheduled for later in the year proceeded.
The most notable player movements sees Hunters pair Stanton Albert and Roy Ellison, as well as Central Queensland Capras forward McKenzie Yei, join Mendi Muruks for the competition; and Port Moresby Vipers have signed Stargroth Amean, Enoch Maki, Shane Haro, Kevin Appo, Patrick Morea and Brandon Gotuno.
Baundo Aba, Emmanuel Waine, Casey Dickson and Joe Frank have joined Waghi Tumbe; and Edwin Ipape from the NSW Cup competition has re-joined the Lae Tigers.
Elsewhere in Papua New Guinea rugby league news, incumbent Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) chairman Sandis Tsaka was earlier this week re-elected at the seventh annual general meeting for a third term after defeating Pom Souths Rugby League president Brown Munema.
A new board was also elected; more information can be found at the PNG Kumuls Facebook page.
