Rosso Trans-Highway 7s set for September

The annual Rosso Trans-Highway 7s tournament is scheduled to take place from September 25 to 27, 2026, at SCRUM Oval in Lae, Morobe Province.

Rosso Trans-Highway is an initiative of the Morobe Rugby Union Association (MRUA) and supported by the current Deputy Prime Minister and two-term Lae MP, the Honorable John Rosso.

The seven-a-side tournament is sanctioned and organized by the Morobe Rugby Union Association (MRUA) under the leadership of President Lionel Kamiak. 

The flagship event was created in 2022 to revive rugby union in Morobe Province and bring together provincial teams from across Papua New Guinea. 

Fifty-four (54) teams have confirmed their participation in this edition, featuring 24 Open Men’s, 16 Women’s, and 16 Under-20 Boys.

The registration fee for Open Men’s is K2,500, Open Women’s K1,500, and U-20 Boys K500, with a lucrative prize money up for grabs. 

MRUA President Lionel Kamiak said the preparations had been good, with the organizing committee anticipating hosting the three-day event in September. 

President Kamiak explained the concept behind the creation of the Rosso Trans-Highway 7s tournament.

“The Rosso Trans-Highway 7s is an annual event sanctioned by the Morobe Rugby Union Association,” he said.

“We run this 7s tournament, especially to get outside teams coming into Lae to participate, mostly provinces connected by the highway. 

“Now, we open invites to teams from other parts of the country, including the New Guinea Islands, Southern, and Highlands regions.” 

Mr. Kamiak expressed sincere gratitude to the sponsors whose continued support has made the tournament possible to run annually.

“A big thank you to the Lae City Authority under the leadership of the DPM and Lae MP, the Hon. John Rosso, who has been very supportive of the Morobe Rugby Union Association,” he said. 

“The LCA and Hon. Rosso have provided additional support to host this Rosso Trans-Highway 7s tournament. LCA also supports individual teams participating in our competition. 

“We acknowledge and want to express our gratitude to the LCA, DPM Rosso, and his management. This will be one of the biggest 7s tournaments in the history of MRUA.” 

He also thanked other sponsors, including Irok Services, NGI Hornibrook, Consort Express, Pilgrim Investment, Chemcare Limited, Executive Security Service (ESS), and Dekenai Construction for their sponsorship.

Despite receiving no backing from the governing body, PNG Rugby Union, Kamiak acknowledged the LCA and business houses in Lae for their continued support.

President Kamiak and the organizing committee look forward to delivering an entertaining and successful Rosso Trans-Highway 7s tournament in Morobe’s capital.   

The following is the breakdown of the prize money, totaling K150,000. 

Open Men’s 

• Cup Winner - K50,000

• Runner-up - K20,000

• Plate Winner - K10,000

• Runner-up - K7,000

• Bowl Winner - K5,000

• Runner-up - K2,500

Open Women’s

• Cup Winner - K20,000

• Runner-up - K10,000

• Plate Winner - K5,000

• Runner-up - K2,500

Under-20 Boys

• Cup Winner - K5,000

• Runner-up - K3,000

• Plate Winner - K2,500

• Runner-up - K1,500

• Bowl Winner - K2,500 Voucher

• Runner-up - K1,500 Voucher