The PNGRFL SP Inter City Cup (PNG National Rugby League) competition has been taking place since 1990. It is Papua New Guinea's national competition. It is a league competition, with the top 5 clubs at the end of the rounds competing in a play - off series to decide who will play in the Grand Final.
The SP Cup is regarded as one of the toughest competitions in the Australasian region and probably the best domestic competition out of the South Pacific Islanders by far, although is not very well known in most Rugby League countries outside of the Pacific Rim. It is not only a tough league to compete in, mainly due to the size of the players and the hot weather but it is probably one of the most pressurising and most dangerous competitions to play in. Riots and mass fights have occured during tense matches in previous years. Huge, capacity crowds turn out, week in, week out to watch the top clubs in the SP Cup and because the crowd is so passionate about their Rugby League, some often get carried away with their emotions and fights often break out.
Away from the SP Cup, there are various other competitions at senior level. There are several Provincial competitions, and of course, the capital city competition - the Port Moresby League. Other towns, villages and cities have their own competitions as well such as Lae, Goroka and Mount Hagen.
Once apon a time in the 1980's, the Port Moresby League was one of the strongest in the world, despite its extremely low profile. Many Australian veterans often appeared for local clubs in the competition to help boost attendance's and to make easy money in the Australian off-season. Back in those days there were reasonably good pay packages for Rugby League professionals. But the game has since suffered financially in Papua New Guinea and the local and indeed national competitions are now mainly made up of natives. It is now often used as a 'feeder' competition for amatuer or semi-professional Australian state competitions such as NSWRL Premier League and the Queensland Cup, who are themselves used as 'feeder' compatitions for the Australian NRL Premiership.
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