Rugby GRANDFINAL FEATURE

IT has gone over 100 minutes of intense footy as injured players were carried off the field worn out and in pain, yet there is no one except the players (themselves) who will decide the stoppage time to put the brutal affair to rest.
The 2022 Digicel Cup, PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) grand final between the Agmark Rabaul Gurias against Kroton Hela Wigmen was epic in front of a vocal and jam pack Santos National Football Stadium crowd. There were a lot going on during the play-offs, but the fanatics are on top of their voice while stamping stadium floor as Wigmen snatch the premiership 8-6 in yet another eventful day of rugby league.
It is evident that most of our rugby league players are used to playing for 80 minutes and could not burn their muscles past the usual 80 minutes of game time. However, the courage shown to defend the logo on the jersey is one reason that kept them dragged on to the finish.
Wigmen co-captain Valentine Culligan expressed that it is the team work both by players and team managements including the fans that got them the grip on the premiership trophy.
“I would like to thank the boys and congratulations for this year. To the men behind the scene team manager, trainer, physio for the hard work. Last but not the list the Hela supporters,” Culligan said.
The affair was dragged beyond 100 minutes when Guria’s Baddy Jagg was penalised for a late hit that pinned Solomon Pokare to the ground just outside their 20-meter line that allow Wigmen a two pointer on a golden time. Wigmen’s hooker and the Man of the match Tapia Salu scooped the winner Infront of the already erupted spectators who could not hold back but break into the field of play to celebrate with the vary players.
Match official from Australia’s NRL Ben Cummins who officiate the match was escorted out of the filed to safety by security and the PNGNRLC officials to allow for the invaders to celebrate.
The pitch invading fine of about K10, 000 in placed by PNGRLC was also unofficially brushed aside as the fanatics outnumbered the security personal on the ground where many assumed it would have been chaotic if Gurias have beaten Wigmen. However, it was all cheering, hugging and exchanging of congratulatory messages on the pitch with minimum control in placed by police reinforcement.
The overwhelming Wigmen coach Francis Ray, was grateful to express that nothing unites the people of Hela more than every time his boys win this semi-professional rugby competition. It is now engraved into their record for winning the grand-final for the third time. This year is the repetition of their first premiership in 2014 and the second against Lae Snax Tigers in 2020.
Coach said many people comment on violence and lawlessness: “So we want to make Hela a peaceful place through the back pages of the newspapers. We want to give the clear message to the young boys coming up to start play rugby to represent the people in their community.”
“The boys really put in individual effort and dug out the last energies that were trapped inside them to win. Our concern for the boys is that there is a stadium setting up in Hela and we are really thinking of moving the team back to Hela. I will definitely defend the cup next year,” Ray said.
The Hela boys were also graced by the presence of their Governor Philip Undialu doing the honours of presenting the premiership trophy and medals to the players.
Mr Undialu was thankful to the players and said he is happy to take the cup home on behalf of the people of Hela.
“We have many social issues but this is the only medium that has the unified factor that unites our province. So, when we take the trophy home, we will utilise Wigmen brand to promote peace and unity in the province and all other local cup in the province. That is a way we could divert youths’ attention into sports and other useful activities in life,” Mr Undialu said.
He also added that both of the teams played a tough game for their people and provinces.
In 2020 after Hela Wigmen won the grand-final against Lae Tigers they did not take the premiership trophy home. Therefore, the governor said it is fitting for the cup to visit Hela this time.
Moreover, the flamboyant Rabaul Gurias bowed out the season but held up in pack to thank their fans sponsors and see off their victors celebrate their spoils bore departing the stadium.
It was also a catchy scene to see fans dressed in traditional attire to cheer behind their teams.