Vipers retain Kokomo 9s Title

The Port Moresby Vipers defended the Kokomo 9s Cup after defeating the ITP Wolves with a 24-14 margin on Sunday, 20 September 2026, at Beenleigh’s Bill Norris Oval in Queensland, Australia.

Vipers, who are the regulars of the annual nine-a-side event, won the elusive silverware in 2025 and retained it in 2026. The team brought a mix of youth and experience to the tournament, with the side holding onto the bragging rights for another year. 

The back-to-back champions met the Wolves in last year’s Kokomo 9s grand final and defeated them. The two sides reached the grand final again in 2026, with the Vipers proving their dominance once more against the determined Wolves. 

Both teams fielded experienced and emerging players, with the decider living up to the expectations. The Wolves fought courageously, trying to steal the title from the Vipers, but the capital boys proved too strong.

The Port Moresby Vipers began their journey at the Kokomo 9s in 2017. After six years, they claimed their first title in 2025 and defended their crown in 2026, becoming one of the successful teams in the event. 

The Queensland-PNG Rugby League created the tournament in 2014. It started as a means to trial players for selecting the QLD-PNG representative men’s open team for the Queensland Pacific Islands Cultural Carnival. It has now evolved into a full-blown rugby league nines carnival in its own right.