PNGNRL responds to Hela Wigmen's threat to boycott Digicel Cup Grand Final

The PNGNRL would like to state that some of the information and statements made by Hela Wigmen are not correct and misrepresented in the media.

Hela Wigmen’s claim that the change of venue from Lae to Kokopo in the last minute is not correct. The grand final venue was resolved in the PNGNRL Board Meeting held on July 29; that Lae and Kokopo are the two possible shortlisted venues.

Neither Mr Andy Hetra nor any of representatives of Hela Wigmen was present at this meeting to discuss this issue nor did the PNGNRL receive any apologies. It should also be noted that Mr Andy Hetra has only attended 2 out 5 meetings in the last 12 months. The PNGNRL Board meetings are the only legal platform and opportunity for all franchises to address such issues which are of their interest.

It was agreed during this meeting that based on the outcome of the results of the preliminary finals held last week ( August 17, 2014), the venue will be decided upon based on the following criteria.

1) Quality of the Ground

2) Safety and Security of the Players and Referees

3) Availability of Police and support of local administration

4) Expected Crowd behavior and past experience

5) Neutrality of the Venue (i.e. neutral referees & neutral match officials)

6) Ability of Media – TV/Radio live telecast

PNGNRL had a personal meeting with Mr Hetra early this week to advise him on the venue and asked for special concerns if he had any.

Mr Hetra suggested playing the finals only in Lae as it is a neutral venue and requested for referees and officials from the Queensland Rugby League.

The opinion for the grand final venue was invited from the Board after the meeting with Mr Andy Hetra. The majority of all board members preferred Kokopo.

PNGNRL would also like to highlight that this is the first of its kind where a team has refused to play on the best ground available in the country. This is also a very unfortunate situation.

PNGNRL requested through PNGRFL CEO Mr Brad Tassel to assist with contacting the Queensland Rugby League to provide match referees and officials. In response QRL agreed to provide the referees on a condition that Kokopo is the venue approved to travel to. Any other venues, including Lae needs to be inspected and approved by the QRL before providing their services for obvious safety reasons for their officials.

The PNGNRL Board also considered the opinion of the service providers and referees who have held the game in Lae for Hela Wigmen in the last two weeks and they too had shown their resentment for the venue for safety reasons.

The PNGNRL Board comprises of the 10 franchises as well as the naming rights sponsor-Digicel and support sponsor, SP Brewer who this week voted 7-6 in favour of Kokopo. It is expected that the local franchises manage the game on behalf of PNGNRL. PNGNRL has full trust in the capabilities of all the franchises when they host the game on behalf of PNGNRL without fear or favour.

PNGNRL would also like to mention that this is not the first time a host team has managed the grand final. In 2013, Vipers hosted the preliminary final at Port Moresby against Gurias and the grand finale against Lahanis.

PNGNRL never had issues with the trust, integrity and commitment of franchise hosting the game on its behalf.

“As Chairman of PNGNRL, this will not do any good for the game of Rugby in PNG, by this act Hela Wigmen may have missed the opportunity to showcase the spirit of Hela and their capability to play rugby at the biggest platform in National Rugby League, including some international opportunities which I do not want to disclose at present.

As well as that, I congratulate both the teams for making it to the grand finals, with special congratulations to the Patron of the Hela Wigmen, Honourable Governor Anderson Agiru and sponsor Kemele Construction. Under their leadership, Wigmen could make the grand finale against all odds in less than 2 years of being in the Digicel Cup competition. No other team has done this before. I am a big supporter of Hela Wigmen and did support their bid to reenter the Digicel Cup competition after almost 2 years out of the competition.

I would personally like to thank the Governor of Hela Honourable Anderson Agiru who took time to meet me and listen to our view point and assured all the support to the PNGNRL.

I also personally think that Wigmen is a Champion team and the decision of the Wigmen management to not play in Kokopo is undermining the abilities of their players who have brought them to this level.

This is a situation PNGNRL has never experienced before, and we await PNGNRL Board for further instruction, otherwise it is the end of the season for Digicel Cup 2014.”