The stage has narrowed from 48 teams to just 12 as the Powes Parkop Independence Rugby League 9s tournament moves into its final stages, with teams now one step closer to claiming the Cup, Plate or Bowl title.

The final 16 and final 8 elimination matches across the three divisions were played over the weekend at the Kone Tigers Oval in Waigani. The results set up a series of qualifying matches, with places in the respective division grand finals on the line.

Cup Division

Moresby North-West Team 1 will meet the University of Papua New Guinea’s Waghi Hawks in one Cup grand-final qualifier. In the other, Moresby North-West Team 2 will face M2 Brothers of Morata.

Both matches are effectively do-or-die contests, while the winners will progress directly to the Cup grand-final.

Plate Division

The Plate qualifiers will showcase several of the tournament’s emerging players. Young sides 8 Last Academy and Tapini Snails have been impressive with their performances and will now look to carry that form into the closing rounds.

Tapini Snails are set to take on Drogons RLC, while 8 Last Academy will face Ipwenz Raiders. The winners of the two fixtures will advance to the Plate grand-final.

Bowl Division

Manuti Raiders will play WKT D8 Mosquitoes in one Bowl semi-final playoff. While the lads from Sogeri blue mountain, the Koiari Nagavas will meet the winner of the Tuesday’s rematch between LS Cowboys and DCY Sharks.

The remaining match-up in the bowl division will be confirmed once the LS Cowboys-DCY Sharks rematch has been decided, completing the Bowl pathway to the final.

NCD Suburban Sports Foundation Chairman Billy Aki said the grand-final qualifying matches and the three division grand finals are scheduled for Saturday, 3 September 2026, at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Konedobu, Port Moresby.

With the tournament now down to its final 12 teams, the upcoming fixtures will determine which sides earn a place in the Cup, Plate and Bowl deciders.