Muruks stop Kandes to book Big Dance

The PRK Mendi Muruks secured their place in the Grand Final after edging out the fast-finishing Kandes RLC with an 18-14 victory in the Major Semi Final of the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup on Sunday, 30 August 2026, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. 

The grand final qualifier lived up to its billing in front of the boisterous, packed Santos National Football Stadium in the nation's capital.

The two teams exchanged intensity and high emotions in the first half, where four players were sin-binned, two from each side - capping off the physical contest in thrilling fashion.  

The Muruks were in control of the proceedings in the first half, scoring three tries through Levai Andrew, Francis Sam, and Jamie Puk, while the Kandes converted a 2-point penalty goal. 

Jacky Winas nailed one goal while Francis Sam missed two conversions, leading the Kandes on 14-2 at halftime.

The rampaging Muruks continued their lethal attack in the second half, with chief playmaker Francis Sam bagging his second try and extending the lead to 18-2. 

Undeterred by the 16-point lead, the Kandes scored two tries through Dickson Otto and Jayden Numapo but fell short, leaving the full-time score at 18-14.

The Muruks have been one of the premiership heavyweights in the last four seasons, with coach Roderick Puname saying they have learned their lesson the hard way.  

“It’s all about experience and all that. We gained a lot from last year,” Puname said.  

“For the game today, we played for maybe 65 minutes, but lost in the last 15 or 20 minutes, so I think that’s the biggest experience we will take out of this game. 

He noted the team’s lack of concentration, especially defensively, to close out games, admitting that they would work on those areas to prepare for the decider.

“The defence was good in the second 20 minutes, but I thought it went off a bit,” Puname said.

“The scoreboard may have gone to the boys a little bit, so they defended out of structure. 

“It’s something we will go back and work on to make sure we get the last 20 minutes of our defence and attack right, which will prepare us for the grand final.”

Muruks tasted premiership success in 2008, with Puname saying this has motivated the boys to end the club’s 18-year title hoodoo this year.

“I think being here last year and falling short, that should be the motivation,” he said.

“We always spoke about bringing in the boys, the playing group, or coaching staff about adding value, and our target this year was going one step better than last year. 

“We are here now, and we are one step away from doing that (winning premiership), so that will be the motivation in trying to get the one that went away last year.” 

The PRK-sponsored side claimed last season’s minor premiership and were crowned the minor premiers again this season. They reached the grand final last year, but lost to the Lae Snax Tigers. 

Fast forward to 2026, the Southern Highlanders are on the cusp of breaking their 18-year title drought and redeeming themselves from last season’s heartbreak.  

Muruks will meet the winner of the ENB Agmark Gurias and Kandes RLC in the 2026 Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup Grand Final, slated for September 13th at Santos National Football Stadium.