Central Dabaris to scout for talents at Moale 9s

The Central Dabaris Moale 9s tournament is scheduled to be held in the new year from January 3rd to 5th in hopes of identifying potential prospects for its elite team.

Dabaris franchise chief executive officer Hubert Warupi said the tournament is a hub of selection for the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup franchise.

"The Moale 9s tournament will also be an avenue for talented players to be identified and scouted into the Central Dabaris Pathways and Performance programs and possibly for the DEM squad," Warupi told NBC News.

"We have already received interest from 17 teams as soon as the tournament was launched via the franchises Facebook page.

"Dabaris Moale 9s will be staged in Port Moresby, possibly at three venues for the round games, then one venue for the finals series."

Reigning champions of Dabaris 9s in Koiari Kogeas will certainly work towards earning a fourth consecutive title.

The undisputed premiers have held on to the Cup for three straight years since the inception of the 9s tournament in the province in 2022.

Warupi said the competition winner will take home K20,000 prize money, whilst runner's up secure K10,000 and teams that finish third and fourth pocket K6,000 and K4,000 respectively.

Warupi said Dabaris have successfully hosted 9s tournaments in the past and the Moale 9s is expected to be a fun filled with rugby league action.