The prolonged suspension of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Union (PNGRU) by Oceania Rugby must now be viewed as a total failure of compliance, according to New Ireland Rugby Union (NIRU) President Charlie Melachon.

President Charlie Melachon has called on active provincial unions and clubs across Papua New Guinea to unite and chart a new path forward for the code, labeling the prolonged suspension of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Union (PNGRU) a "total failure of compliance."

Recently, Mr. Melachon stated that PNGRU’s failure to address outstanding issues—including governance failures, financial mismanagement, unfulfilled tournament obligations, and audit requirements—is irresponsible and is holding the code's development to ransom.

"The call now goes to existing rugby unions in the country who have stood out to carry the code forward for the love of the sport and the playing community to make a stance and start afresh, given the unresponsive track record so far," Melachon said.

Melachon highlighted that PNG clubs have continued to shine on the international stage despite the administrative vacuum. He pointed to the recent Cairns 7s in Australia, won by the Black Orchids 7s team from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), who competed alongside Port Moresby-based Valley Hunters and East New Britain’s Matupit Diggers.

Following their 2026 Cairns 7s triumph, the Black Orchids have earned an invitation to make their debut at the 15th edition of the McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s from 14–16 January 2027 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, Fiji. Melachon noted that the win has sparked huge excitement in Bougainville, leading into a series of upcoming rugby festivals during the 2026 festive season.

He also praised other international campaigns, including the Port Moresby Harlequins winning bronze at the 2026 Malaysia Cobra 10s—the world’s premier rugby 10s tournament—and the Valley Hunters’ current Tokyo international tour (11–25 November), which will be followed by their campaign at the Emirates Dubai Open Men’s Sevens from 27–29 November.

"As 2026 comes to an end, we look back in awe at the biggest and most prestigious 7s tournament in Papua New Guinea, the 2026 Sportstok 7s in Port Moresby," Melachon said. He commended tournament organizer Benson Upas and his team for delivering the 9th NiuPower KMHL Sportstok 7s—which saw Fiji’s Devo Babas claim back-to-back titles—and noted that the tournament looks ahead to its milestone 10th anniversary next year as PNG's premier Pukpuks selection event.

Melachon also acknowledged the lucrative Rosso Transhighway 7s, which offered nearly K150,000 in prize money across the open men’s, open women’s, and under-20 divisions, drawing massive participation from across the country.

At the provincial level, unions continue to drive the game forward, with New Ireland preparing to host the 4th Autonomy 7s next month alongside upcoming festive tournaments across New Britain and mainland PNG.

However, Melachon said that while local unions and supporters are keeping the sport alive, the absence of the national governing body over the past two years is glaring.

He stressed that two years of silence has denied the sport and its athletes vital progress, urging rugby leaders across the nation to take decisive action.

"The gap is far too noticeable today as we try to place the mother body of rugby union in Papua New Guinea into the equation. The question lays bare: Where is Papua New Guinea Rugby Union?" Melachon asked.

Noting that two years have passed since Oceania Rugby suspended PNGRU in 2024 over governance, accountability, and transparency failures, Melachon said the prolonged silence is denying the sport its rightful progress.

"A collective stance must now be taken by active unions who have more than proven themselves to shoulder the code and bring back its vibrancy," Melachon urged.

"We can no longer be dictated to by a suspended PNGRU that is unable to fulfill its mandated role. I urge administrators and leaders of active unions in PNG to unite for the greater cause of reclaiming rugby union in Papua New Guinea."