The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) is entering a new era as it welcomes the Kandes Rugby Football League Club into the 2026 season.
Formerly known as Morobe Kandes in their bid, their name has changed to just Kande RFLC. This has seen them move out of Morobe Province and relocate to Madang Province where they will be basing for the season 2026.
The inclusion of Kandes RFLC has seen the omission of West New Britain based Kimbe Cutters from the competition, a decision that did not go down well with Cutters management and fans.
PNGNRLC Chairman Adrian Chow said the inclusion of the Kandes shows the league’s commitment to growing the game while maintaining high standards of club compliance. He said every club must meet strict licensing requirements to ensure professionalism and long-term stability in the competition.
As one door opens, another closes. The Kimbe Cutters have not been reissued a license to compete in the 2026 season.
Chow acknowledged the Cutters’ contributions in past seasons and said PNGNRLC will continue to support the club towards meeting the necessary standards for a possible return in the future.
During the annual review, it was found that the Cutters did not meet all license conditions, prompting management to recommend that their license not be renewed. The board later approved this recommendation.
All 12 existing clubs underwent the same review process, part of PNGNRLC’s plan to maintain professionalism as a key pillar of its strategic direction moving forward.
