The PNG’s under 19 Women’s National Team Coach Susan Watpore is expecting an improved performance from her side when they play host nation Fiji in their second and final pool game at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva this afternoon. Watpore will be calling on the services of Australia-based Malinu Raminai to start in the forwards along with Nenny Elipas. Watpore said she is confident that her girls will put on a good show in the final match. “We know that Fiji with the home ground advantage will come out much stronger in the afternoon. Both Fiji (3-0) and PNG (11-0) lost to New Zealand, so the match will be just a formality to determine who finish second in Group B.” The Coach said PNG will take the first loss with positivity going into the final match against Fiji. “We have learnt a lot in our first game and we should give our best against the home side this afternoon.” Fiji Kulas is adamant to make a comeback today when they face Papua New Guinea in their second pool game. Meanwhile, despite the 3-0 loss against New Zealand, Fiji head coach Angeline Chua believes her side has what it takes to secure a win against their PNG counterpart side. “We were able to pick out all our weaknesses since our game with New Zealand, and we are ready to take on PNG.” Chua said their target of qualifying for the group stage of the championship had not changed and they were focused on achieving their target. “We will follow our game plan, that’s the only way we will be able to tackle PNG. “Even though they lost 11-0 to New Zealand, we will not be underestimating their ability to make a comeback as well.” She said her players had been recovering well from their last game and would expect a tough match today. Team list for today's game against Fiji; Goal Keeper: Globes Miag Defenders: Zaikainah Kiasaka, Raynata Samuel, Kelly Robin, Mayah Samai Midfield: Sagude Zale, Mareerose Wadunah, Aileen David, Christie Maneu Forward: Nenny Elipas, Malinu Raminai .

Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has been suspended for three matches matches after he was found guilty by the NRL judiciary on Tuesday of contrary conduct towards a match official. In a highly-emotional, marathon hearing spanning over four hours, Walsh was found guilty by a panel – involving members judiciary chairman Justice Geoffrey Bellew, Tony Puletua and Sean Hampstead – of contrary conduct involving referee Chris Butler during Brisbane’s Round 17 match against the Titans. As a result of the three-match suspension, he will miss Brisbane’s upcoming clash against the Dolphins and is also ineligible for selection for the Maroons in Game Three of the 2023 Ampol State of Origin series to be played on July 12. Source: NRL.Com

There will be no more selling, buying, chewing, spitting and littering of betel nut at the Boroko Central Business District (CBD) in Port Moresby and those caught doing it will receive sever penalties from the authority. With NCDC's 2030 Vision for a Clean, Safe, Healthy, and Planned City, Boroko CBD area has been now declared as a betel nut free zone as of Monday 26th June. The betel nut free zone equally applies to both private and public transport like Taxis and PMVs. NCD Governor Powes Parkop said its enforcement takes immediate effect and the selling, buying, chewing, spitting and littering of betel nut are now absolutely prohibited at the Boroko CBD. He is calling on the business houses and city residents to join the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) realize its safe, clean, healthy and planned city goals. Whilst acknowledging that betel nut provides alternative revenues for the people, Governor Parkop described betel nut as a menace to the health, hygiene and cleanliness of the city. He further stated that betel nut is also a menace to the image of the city and entire country. Penalties prescribed by NCD BETEL NUT CONTROL LAW 2020: • Trading/selling of betel nut in any form at public places attracts a penalty of K200. • Buying, chewing, spitting and littering of betel nut in public places attracts a spot fine of K50 each. • Transportation of betel nut without permit or in excess of allowable limit or in breach of permit terms and conditions attract a spot fine of K1, 000. • Allowing an aircraft or ship to transport betel nut into the city in excess of allowable limit or in breach of permit terms and conditions attract a spot fine of K5,000; and, • Allowing property, commercial premises or public areas close to premise for storage, sales or chewing of betel nut attract a spot fine of K5, 000. City Manager, Ravu Frank said failure to pay the spot fines will lead to those not in compliance engaging in community works for 2 to 6 hours. Mr. Ravu said those not in compliance would also be prosecuted and tried at the Boroko District Court and if found guilty, they will be imprisoned. He added that 50 NCDC reserve police would be foot patrolling the area on 9-hour shift with spot fines. “The betel nut free zone concept will be replicated in other CBD areas after monitoring the success in the Boroko CBD area,” he said. Assuring Governor Parkop and NCDC Management, Metropolitan Superintendent Chief Inspector Silva Sika said his men would be deployed full time at the CBD helping NCDC reservists enforce the spot fines and penalties. He said that betel nut is associated with the bad habit of the people chewing it, not the nut itself. Sika calls on the city residents to change their bad attitude of chewing betel nut and bringing the city to its former glory.

The Titans put an exclamation mark on the end of a chaotic week by securing a memorable 18-12 derby win over the high-flying Broncos on Sunday afternoon. With Justin Holbrook removed as head coach during the week and Jim Lenihan put in as the interim for the rest of the year – ahead of Des Hasler taking charge for 2024 – the Gold Coast had plenty to deal with even before the decision was made to rest captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui prior to kick-off. But after footing it with the second-placed Broncos through the first half, the Titans found another gear in the second 40, scoring a pair of converted tries and kicking a penalty goal to earn their first win over Brisbane in five games. With both sides having a bye in Round 16, the game was the Titans' first in 17 days and the Broncos' first in 15, and for most of the first half it showed. It took 29 minutes for the first points to be scored and when they did come it was through an unlikely source in Thomas Flegler, before David Fifita burst through a minute before half-time to tie scores again at 6-6. Fifita turned provider for his side's second, forcing Adam Reynolds into a low tackle and then popping the ball to an unmarked Brian Kelly, before Alofiana Khan-Pereira grabbed his 14th try in 13 games to give the visitors a 10-point advantage. As the final half hour arrived the Broncos were peppering the Gold Coast line, but twice had possible tries ruled out after the Bunker found issues upon review, before the Titans had one of their own ruled out on the hour mark. Ezra Mam wasn't to be denied two minutes later though, with his try and Reynolds' conversion setting up a thrilling finish with the deficit reduced to four. Khan-Pereira thought he had the likely match-winner when he picked off a pass and raced away, but there was a knock on the lead up, while a Broncos equaliser on the next set was rubbed out due to Reece Walsh's pass to Corey Oates being forward. A Tanah Boyd penalty goal stretched the lead to six with seven to play, and from there the Titans held on to claim their third away win of the season. Source: NRL.Com

­Last year's runners-up Parramatta have made it five wins on the trot with a comprehensive 48-20 victory over the Dolphins at Sunshine Coast Stadium . Sitting 14th after 11 rounds with a 4-7 record the Eels have rediscovered the form that carried them all the way to the 2022 decider. On a glorious afternoon at Sunshine Coast Stadium it was the Dolphins striking first in the fourth minute when debutant Brayden McGrady displayed neat footwork to stand up Will Penisini and plant the ball down for a 4-0 lead. The Eels hit back in the seventh minute when Andrew Davey powered into a hole after taking a short ball from fellow back-rower J'maine Hopgood. Former Panther Hopgood then had a four-pointer of his own when he powered past Isaiya Katoa and Felise Kaufusi to make it 12-4 with Mitch Moses' conversion. The Eels stretched their lead in the 21st minute when centre Will Penisini showed great strength to beat three defenders to score wide out before Clint Gutherson grabbed his 14th try of the season after great lead-up work by Moses, Bryce Cartwright and Penisini. Parramatta went out to a commanding 30-4 lead in the 26th minute when Cartwright and Moses again combined to bust the Dolphins open and Penisini took the last pass to complete his first career double. With seven minutes remaining in the half Bailey Simonsson got in on the act to score his eighth try of the season and the Eels led 36-4. Maika Sivo was denied in the 37th minute as the Dolphins scrambled in defence but the reprieve was short lived as right winger Sean Russell crossed on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors a scarcely believable 42-4 lead. Ten minutes into the second half the Dolphins conjured a try from deep in their own territory when Jamayne Isaako put Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow into space and the Maroons flyer raced 70 metres to notch his 13th four-pointer of the season. In the 56th minute the Dolphins had the full house at Sunshine Coast Stadium on their feet again when cult hero Valynce Te Whare crossed on the right edge to make it 42-14. Eels skipper Gutherson then showed his strength to shrug off Sean O'Sullivan to score from close range before Tabuai-Fidow swooped on a Moses grubber and sprinted 80 metres to score his fourth double of the season. The Dolphins showed plenty of fight to win the second half 16-6 but have now conceded 136 points in their past three matches and face a daunting task against ladder leaders Brisbane in Round 18. Source: NRL. Com

Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic will miss the rest of the 2023 season after scans confirmed a torn pectoral injury from the opening minutes of Origin II at Suncorp Stadium. Trbojevic was helped from the field in the fourth minute of Game Two after he fell awkwardly making an attempted cover tackle on Maroons winger Murray Taulagi. Facing a minimum of three to four months on the sidelines, Trbojevic will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair the injury – ending his season on a disappointing note. The Sea Eagles will also be without winger Jason Saab who has withdrawn due to a shoulder injury while Jake Trbojevic, Ben Trbojevicand Kelma Tuilagi are all expected to be available for first-grade selection the following week. At the Cowboys, veteran prop James Tamou is targeting a return late in the regular season as he continues the recovery from a Lisfranc tear. "Jimmy is about 12 weeks post-op now, it's quite slow to start with because they can't put any weight through the foot," said Cowboys strength and conditioning coach Ash Graham. Source: NRL.Com

Flying finisher Dallin Watene-Zelezniak helped himself to a career-high four tries as the Warriors outclassed the Dragons 48-18 at WIN Stadium on Friday night. The Warriors' ninth win of the season lifts them into the top four and looking good to play finals footy for the first time since 2018. Andrew Webster's men opened the scoring in the fifth minute courtesy of a slick right side shift featuring Shaun Johnson and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and finished off by Watene-Zelezniak. Six minutes later it was the Warriors other winger Marcelo Montoya getting across the stripe but the try was disallowed due to obstruction in the lead-up. A dropped ball by Addin Fonua-Blake handed the home side good field position and they hit back through Tyrell Sloan, who showed dazzling speed to cross for his first try since Anzac Day against the Roosters. Zac Lomax's conversion gave the Dragons a 6-4 lead. Another brilliant Sloan run set up another chance for the Dragons but Ravalawa was denied by a strong cover tackle from Montoya. The Warriors regained the lead in the 26th minute when a long ball by Luke Metcalf found Montoya on the bounce and the winger powered through Sloan and Lomax to plant the ball down to make it 8-6 to the visitors. A perfectly placed grubber by Johnson laid on a try for Bayley Sironen in the 30th minute and the halfback converted for a 14-6 lead. Three minutes later it was the Warriors posting a third try when Jackson Ford flew high to bring down a Johnson bomb which the Dragons showed no desperation to try and catch. The Warriors lost back-rower Marata Niukore to the sin bin early in the second half for a dangerous tackle and the Dragons capitalised almost immediately through Zane Musgrove, who took an inside pass from Jacob Liddle to score from close range. It took the Warriors just three minutes to hit back when Watene-Zelezniak made it a double with a flying finish into the right corner to make it 24-12. Come the 54th minute and Johnson had a try of his own courtesy of a neat offload from Fonua-Blake and the score blew out to 30-12. Rocco Berry was next to score in the 57th minute as the Warriors went into overdrive before the Dragons twice lost the ball on the first tackle to cruel any chance of a comeback. Errors from both sides then crept into the game before Francis Molo grabbed a rare try off a Jayden Sullivan grubber to make it 36-18. With nine minutes to play Watene-Zelezniak grabbed his hat-trick with another spectacular finish before crossing for his fourth as the margin hit 30 points. Source: NRL.Com

Ludwick Kampukia, or the ‘GEDSI man’ as he is sometimes referred to, has been a champion of the Gender Equality Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) program at the Palmalmal Secondary School in Pomio District of East New Britain Province. The GEDSI program is a component of a PGK3.5million grant from the Australian Government to build new infrastructure at Palmalmal Secondary School that aims to make schools gender inclusive, providing education opportunities for both boys and girls. As the Deputy Principal, Mr Kampukia is grateful that the program continues to impact the lives of his students and communities around the secondary school. “Because of the GEDSI program and the awareness drive in the communities and the school, students’ performance has improved, and we have an increase in number of girls in the upper secondary classes.” “Parents are beginning to understand the importance of education,” he said proudly. Through his leadership and ongoing support from the school administration, Mr Kampukia has initiated more changes within the school’s structure. “In the past we only had men making up the Governing Council and Parents & Citizens Council.” “Now, because of this GEDSI program, we have tried our best to make a fair representation of the members.” The GEDSI program has also changed some of the school organised activities. “Sometimes we had games organised by boys only or girls – now we have both genders actively planning and taking part in different sports – narrowing the gap between girls and boys,” said Mr Kampukia. For Grade 12 student, Christine Lepan, the new infrastructure has been life changing. “The buildings come with everything, and we are learning a lot.” “It’s good to share ideas and have discussions with the boys. I think it is helping us a lot”, she said. Mr. Kampukia adds that many of the social issues at the school were a result of lack of respect, and through this continuous awareness the students have developed self-respect among themselves. “We have combined assembly, as well as meetings for boys and girls separately, and talk with them to instil self-respect and discipline.” “After completion of the infrastructure, we have seen an improvement in student performance.” “This is because of the GEDSI component imbedded into students’ academic work – so change in attitude goes together with academic performance,” he said. Mr. Kampukia is not alone in his work to encourage GEDSI awareness in the local area. Other community members, including a policewoman and community leaders, have joined him in visiting schools and nearby communities to increase awareness. Their efforts continue to improve the experience for students like Silas Kelre, a grade 10 student. “Mr. Kampukia is our role model; I like how he runs his programs. It has helped us change our behavior to learn new things and respect one another,” says Silas. Orimilton Tadigu who teaches legal studies and social science, couldn’t agree more with the inclusion initiative: “The students are learning to work together. Before, boys were on one side and girls were on the other side. This has developed their minds – and has helped them achieve better results,” she said. “It has helped teachers as well understand their roles as educators. If they are not implementing some of those initiatives, it would be difficult.” “I hope that this type of program continues,” she added. And for students like Christine and Silas, who represent their peers, this is the beginning of positive change they saw in not only the school but in themselves too; as they take a step closer towards realising their own dreams and aspirations for the future.

Despite having home ground advantage, a more settled line-up and history on their side, last year’s Wally Lewis Medal winner Pat Carrigan said there was no chance of complacency thwarting the Maroons in their quest to wrap up this year’s series on Wednesday. Queensland head to Suncorp Stadium as favourites to go two-nil up to make their trip to Sydney a dead rubber match, but Carrigan said the team – guided by the coaching staff – were taking a 'nil-all' mindset into the match. “Their team is stacked,” Carrigan said of the Blues. “It is a really good side and they have got players over the park that can do a job on us. “Not for one second will I think there is any other way (than being fully switched on for the game). “That is out of not only respect to them, but out of respect to our fans and coaching staff and personally, the standard I want to be at.” Carrigan also said playing in front a packed crowd at Suncorp Stadium would help the Maroons lift against a New South Wales side desperate to defy the history books which has seen only one Blues side win in “the Cauldron” to keep the series alive. “It is exciting to come to Suncorp in Game Two,” Carrigan said. “Suncorp is nuts. I like to learn to embrace moments. I was privileged to debut at ANZ and that was 90,000 people going nuts, but 55,000 at Suncorp is another level. "I am super-keen and I know these boys are too.” Maroons winger Murray Taulagi, who missed last year's epic decider at Suncorp Stadium after being sidelined with COVID, agreed that the whole squad was  switched on and preparing for a tough game. “We have moved past that (Queensland’s Game One win) now and we are focusing on this game here and we're taking it as nil-all,” Taulagi said. “Right at this moment, we're just worrying about ourselves and not the outside noise. “It helps when you have coaching staff that have been in that position and speak from experience. "Having them around makes our mindset are a lot easier and sort of switches the flick on for all the boys to narrow focus down and worry about the game coming.” Murray is set to face off against Josh Addo-Carr on the wing and knew he’d need to on his game to stop a fired-up Foxx. “He's a player I looked up to and he’s been playing top tier footy for so long, so I try and watch how he plays,” Taulagi said. “I don't have the speed that he does … he definitely keeps me my toes when I'm marking up against him. “I was pretty fortunate to be in the Kangaroos camp with him, so we have a pretty good bond together and, but when it comes on the field, it's a different story. “He's a very good player and it's always a good battle to go up against him.” In this year's series, the Maroons have taken to adopting an African philosophy known as ‘Ubuntu’, and while many of the finer details remain in-house for the team, the overriding factor places the wellbeing of the collective ahead of the individual. The Zulu word has been roughly translated to "I am because we are", or "humanity towards others" and is a philosophy which was prominently adopted by coach Doc Rivers as the Boston Celtics charged to the NBA title in 2008. “It is all about this game, this jersey and this state being more than just you,” Carrigan said of how Ubuntu philosophy applied to Origin. “Obviously, there is an opportunity for us to wear this jersey at the moment, but that is not going to last forever. “While you get the opportunity, you have to be the best version of yourself as a footballer and the team comes before you do. “Guys like Daly Cherry-Evans, Benny Hunt and the guys who are coaching us who have been here for a long time have drilled the 'we' into the jersey. “When those guys don't have an ego, it makes it easy for the young fellas to come in and be the exact same. “I am really privileged that I get to rub shoulders with those guys and learn off them as leaders and men too.” Source:NRL.Com

In incredible scenes at Campbelltown Sports Stadium Alex Twal finally broke his try scoring drought but Storm speedster Will Warbrick spoiled the party, running in four tries to lead Melbourne to a 28-6 win on Saturday night. With new halves pairing Jahrome Hughes and Jonah Pezet calling the shots and rallying the troops, Melbourne went back-to-back at Campbelltown, despite missing three of their Origin superstars in Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Xavier Coates. While the Tigers were able to stay in the contest for majority of the match, with makeshift halves-pairing Brandon Wakeham and Starford To'a struggling to link up in attack and errors cruelling any chance they had of mounting pressure, Tim Sheens' side couldn't inspire a comeback at their spiritual home ground. However, the Tigers still walked away with their own milestone to celebrate, having finally got veteran forward Alex Twal over for his first NRL try to break one of the longest try ducks, since making his debut in 2017. Melbourne's first visit to the Tigers 20metre zone brought the ultimate reward after a catch and pass effort from Hughes created an overlap out wide for Kiwi winger Warbrick to score. Come the 22nd minute and Campbelltown Stadium erupted when Alex Twal grounds a crossfield kick from Wakeham in the in-goal to break his 116-game try scoring drought. But eight minutes later the Storm silenced the Wests Tigers faithful when Warbrick made it a double, outjumping Junior Tupou to snatch a Hughes kick in the corner to score. Nick Meaney kicked the conversion to put the visitors in front 10-6. While he didn't have to wait 116 games to do it, Melbourne hooker Tyran Wishart celebrated a milestone of his own just before half-time, cleaning up a Hughes grubber to score his first NRL try. Meaney's kick was wide but Craig Bellamy's side held an eight-point lead at the break. But the second term was all the Storm with the right-edge clicking into gear and Warbrick running in another two tries to make it four for the night. A try to Kane Bradley in the 72nd minute off a Pezet grubber put the icing on the Storms' eighth win of the season. Source:NRL.Com

The Eels made light work of the Sea Eagles in a 34-4 victory on Saturday night to pick up their fourth win in a row and continue their mid-season resurgence. As the club celebrated the 40-year anniversary of their 1983 Grand Final win over Manly, the current day Eels produced a dominant first half showing which saw them run in four tries, all of which were converted by Clint Gutherson, to establish a 24-4 lead. Brad Arthur's men owned possession of the ball for most of the match and in the end Manly had just 37 percent of the Steeden, which equated to 12 fewer sets than the Eels and forced them to make 120 extra tackles. The scoreline made ugly viewing for Manly as it was and it could have been much worse, with the Eels having a number of other try claims ruled out by the Bunker. Signs of what was to come were there from the start, and what appeared to be a dodged bullet on nine minutes for Manly turned out to be the start of their downfall. After Parramatta were unsuccessful in their efforts to score, fullback Kaeo Weekes was found to have committed a professional foul in the lead up, and in the five minutes following his sin-binning the Eels scored twice to establish a 12-0 lead, with Ofahiki Ogden crashing over before Bailey Simonsson crossed. Once back to 13 players the Sea Eagles responded with a try down the left edge for Christian Tuipulotu, but ideas of a comeback were quickly thwarted by strikes from Gutherson and Hopgood. After a long break in the scoring in the second half – during which time they had possible tries for Sean Russell and Maika Sivo ruled out by the Bunker – Simonsson got his second on 61 minutes. Sivo was again denied, along with Ogden being held up in his attempt to grab a double, before Sivo turned provider with a delicate chip kick to hand Makahesi Makatoa his first try in the NRL and cap off a comprehensive victory. Source: NRL.Com

Xavier Coates was so starstruck the first time he was called into Maroons camp for his Origin debut in 2020, he spent the first day introducing himself to his favourite players. Six Origin appearances later, Coates might no longer be the awestruck kid he once was, but said he was just as excited to be called back in for a potential series victory, saying it felt like he was pulling the Queensland jersey on for the first time again. With Selwyn Cobbo ruled out with a hip-pointer injury he re-aggravated during Brisbane’s win against the Knights, Coates got the call-up from coach Billy Slater after a starring two-try performance in Melbourne's win over the Sharks – adamant as ever he was going to make the most of the opportunity. “There’s something special about this Queensland community and this Queensland group and the Maroons jersey when you pull it on. I'm just really looking forward to being a part of this camp,” Coates said. “I was pretty ecstatic for the opportunity to pull the jersey on again and I'm taking it with both hands and I'm trying to pick apart their (coaching staff and players) brains. “They're feeding me so much knowledge and I'm just trying to take it all in and become a better player for Queensland.” Under Slater, the Maroons have maintained a strong focus on doing the jersey proud for past players and those who can’t be there, with Coates saying he wanted to play well for Cobbo. “I know Selwyn pulled up not 100% and that's where Bill touched base with me and asked how would I feel like putting on this Maroons jersey?’,” Coates said. “The boys, last year in Game Two and Three, when I was injured, they were messaging me, seeing how I was doing and they were telling me that they're going to play for me. “So, now it's my opportunity to play for Selwyn and to help the boys out and do my role to the best of my ability. “It's something we always touch on in our camps and it's working for each other. “When you're out in the field doing it tough, you're not working for yourself, you look over to the mate beside you and you're going to do it for him. “It's something really special. I know I keep using the word special but it is, it's something about this Queensland spirit and something about this Maroons jersey that when we pull it on, something special happens.” Source:NRL.Com