Rigo Rice Cup

3RD CITY RANGERS THANK SUPPORTERS AHEAD OF RIGO RICE CUP

Mt Hagen’s 3rd City Rangers have thanked sponsors, community leaders, professionals and supporters for the strong backing received ahead of the Rigo Rice Cup in Port Moresby.

The team received more than K50,000 in combined cash and in-kind support, helping meet costs including accommodation, food, transport and other tournament expenses.

Stout Lawyers and team patron Tabe Jugari provided the playing jerseys, while Jacob Anga contributed K10,000 and Post PNG Limited chief executive officer Justin Worinu donated K5,000.

Ward 8 Councillor Samuel Maniat also attended the jersey presentation on Friday, representing the eight Mt Hagen Urban council wards.

The Rangers also acknowledged the support of Mt Hagen Urban elites and professionals living in Port Moresby who contributed both cash and goods.

The team said the support has given the players confidence as they prepare for their opening match at Kaugere this Sunday.

The Rangers will now carry the name of Mt Hagen and Western Highlands Province into the competition and are calling on their people in Port Moresby to come out and support them.

🏉 RIGO RICE CUP – COMMUNITY ROUND | CUP FINALS 🏆

This Sunday, the Rigo Rice Cup Cup Finals continues with our Community Round number 1 at South Side Stadium.

Because we are working with limited playing time, we will only be able to host 5 games this Sunday, 23rd August 2026, with the first game kicking off at 9:00 AM.

We ask all teams, players, officials and supporters to please understand the current situation and bear with us as we continue working to secure a suitable field so we can properly complete the competition.

Next Saturday, the next group of teams will take the field, and on Sunday we will have all teams playing as we push towards completing the Cup Finals.

We appreciate everyone’s patience, cooperation and understanding during this period. Team managers are also asked to make sure their players arrive on time and are ready according to the draw.

📍 Venue: South Side Stadium
📅 Date: Sunday, 23rd August 2026
⏰ First Kick-Off: 9:00 AM
🎟️ Gate Fee: K20 per person
🚗 Car Pass: K50 per vehicle

🚫 Alcohol is strictly prohibited inside the stadium.

Let’s continue to support our teams, our communities and grassroots rugby league.

ONE COMMUNITY. ONE PASSION. ONE CHAMPION.

P🏉 RIGO RICE CUP FINAL – TRIAL DRAW 🏉

The stage is set for an exciting afternoon of rugby league at the Moresby South Stadium, with three competitive trial matches featuring both local and visiting teams.

These matches will provide the visiting teams with a valuable opportunity to test their combinations, assess their match fitness and prepare themselves for the challenges ahead.

A special word of appreciation goes to Mr. Bagelo Solien for providing this opportunity, organising the event and making it possible for the visiting teams to take part in these important trial matches.

We wish all participating teams the very best. Let us enjoy a great afternoon of competitive rugby league, sportsmanship and unity!

Please refer to the official flyer for the full draw and match times.

Theres a rumor going around saying that Boromas were given a mercy pass is not true. Anyone with the team must know that we have not given them a mercy pass or any other team for that matter!

Toksave go lo ol olsem we didnt give out any mercy pass as yet!

Thank you.....

𝗞𝟱𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘'𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lae, Hon. John Rosso, has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to grassroots rugby league by contributing K50,000 to Morobe Pride as the club prepares for the 2026 Rigo Rice Cup Grassroots Rugby League Play-Off Series.

The sponsorship was presented by Mr. Robert Kewe on behalf of Hon. Rosso to Lae Lord Mayor and Morobe Pride owner, Hon. Jacob Maragau.
Hon. Rosso's latest contribution builds on his continued support for the club, having also backed Morobe Pride during its 2025 campaign.

His ongoing investment reflects a strong commitment to nurturing grassroots rugby league and creating pathways for young sporting talent across Morobe Province.

After finishing runners-up in the 2025 Rigo Rice Cup, Morobe Pride enters this year's competition determined to go one step further and capture the prestigious grassroots rugby league championship.

Receiving the sponsorship, Hon. Maragau expressed his sincere appreciation to Hon. Rosso, describing the timely support as a significant boost to the team's preparations as it proudly carries the hopes of Morobe Province into one of Papua New Guinea's premier grassroots rugby league competitions.

On behalf of Rigo Rice, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lae, Hon. John Rosso, for his continued and generous support of Morobe Pride.

Partnerships like this play a vital role in strengthening grassroots rugby league, empowering young athletes, and ensuring the continued growth of the game throughout Papua New Guinea. We wish Morobe Pride every success in their pursuit of the 2026 Rigo Rice Cup title.

Reminder again to all teams to get your IDs done. No ID no games until all ID cards are done! Thank you

Just a quick reminder to all teams that we have not given out the 4 pases to any teams as yet and if a team is traning without being given the pass then we are sorry to say this but we have not given any passes to any teams as yet

: MOROBE PRIDE RETURNS TO THE RIGO RICE FIELDS IN QUEST FOR REDEMPTION

The PNG Times SportsDesk - Tuesday 28th July 2026

Warriors from the rainy savanna plains of Morobe Province have returned for the second edition of Rigo Rice Cup 2026.

Inaugural grand finalists Morobe Pride have marched back into Port Moresby to contest the second edition of the prestigious Rigo Rice Cup, determined to rewrite history after their heartbreaking defeat in the competition's maiden season.

The Lae-based rugby league club came within touching distance of glory in the 2025 Grand Final, where they battled the South Side Dolphins in an epic showdown at Hubert Murray Stadium.

In a match remembered for its intensity and controversy, Morobe Pride suffered a narrow 10-6 defeat after a crucial try was disallowed with a forward pass by referee Raynold Alphonse.

The try had originated from a brilliant long cut-out pass by then five-eighth Jacky Winas to the right wing, a moment that remains etched in the memories of Pride supporters.

Though denied the inaugural crown, the Pride have not forgotten. They have returned with unfinished business.

Now, as the countdown begins for another historic Rigo Rice Cup finals series, Morobe Pride once again stand among the regional challengers, ready to wage war for rugby league supremacy and the competition's massive prize purse.

Teams from across Port Moresby have already descended on the nation's capital after qualifying through their respective leg championships. Three champion clubs from each region now prepare to collide in what promises to be one of the fiercest local rugby league tournaments ever assembled.

This is more than a competition, as it is a clash of provinces, collision of cultures, a battlefield where warriors will carry the pride of their people, settlements and suburbs onto the field, knowing that every tackle, every run, and every victory writes another chapter in rugby league history for their territory.

As the battle drums echo across Port Moresby, hardened men will test their courage against equally determined opponents.

Bone will meet bone, strength will challenge strength, and warriors will charge into battle with one prize fixed in their sights, which is the coveted Rigo Rice Cup Premiership Trophy and a staggering K500,000 winner's purse.

For Morobe Pride, this is not merely another tournament, but it is a return to unfinished business, a journey of redemption as the warriors of Morobe march into battle once again.