Waisa Rake Rabbitohs are Erave Rugby League Champions

Waisa Rake Rabbitohs secured the Erave Rugby League title after holding off the Ambo Roosters 4-2 in a nail-biting Senior Men’s Grand Final on Saturday, 31 October 2026, at Kamare Oval in Erave Station, Southern Highlands Province. 

It was a close encounter that kept the raucous crowd screaming and shouting at the top of their lungs. The 80-minute contest was brutal and physical, with the Rabbitohs scoring an unconverted try to edge past the Roosters by 2 points. 

Reigning premiers, Ambo Roosters, failed to defend their crown as the new-look Waisa Rake Rabbitohs came with a mission this season and stole the title from the Chooks, taking it to the top of the Waisa Rake range.  

Ambo Roosters have made three consecutive grand final appearances (2024, 2025, & 2026), winning one title and losing two. They were the clear favorites to go back-to-back, but the determined Waisa Rake Rabbitohs came from nowhere to spoil the party. 

Erave Rugby League President Elden Mere congratulated the Waisa Rake Rabbitohs on their hard-fought victory. He also commended the Ambo Roosters and all the participating teams. 

“Congratulations to the Waisa Rake Rabbitohs on being crowned the ERL 2026 senior men’s champions,” Mr. Mere said. 

“In a tough defensive showdown, the Waisa Rake Rabbitohs held off the minor premiers Ambo Roosters 4-2 to claim the ERL title.

“Tough luck to the Ambo Roosters. Three consecutive grand final appearances showed that you are a champion team. Your time will come.”

Meanwhile, in the U-20 division decider, the Station Knights pulled off a gutsy 16 - 12 win over Waisa Rake Rabbitohs in an extra-time thriller. It was 12-all at halftime before the Knights scored a winning try in the extra 10 minutes.

Mr. Mere admitted that this season had been challenging in terms of funding but thanked the sponsors and ERL executives for pulling through and completing the season on a high note.

“On behalf of the Erave Rugby League Association, I sincerely thank all our sponsors for the ERL 2026 season,” he expressed. 

“Without your support, we could not have come this far to complete the ERL 2026 season successfully.

“I also thank my ERL management team for your commitment, sacrifice, and hard work throughout the season. 

“Thank you to all our referees, sponsors, supporters, and the people of Erave for delivering a successful 2026 season.”

President Mere praised the fans for supporting their teams passionately and showing respect to the supporters of other teams.

“A special thank you to our people for behaving themselves and supporting the grand finalists in an orderly fashion,” he said.  

“For three solid seasons now, Erave Rugby League has run its finals without police presence, no complaints were raised, and no major incidents were recorded. All finals were delivered well and peacefully.

“This shows the maturity, respect, and love our people have for rugby league in Erave. This is our achievement.”

Affiliated with the Papua New Guinea Rugby League (PNGRFL) in 2023, the new competition began its inaugural season in 2024, delivering three straight successful campaigns.