2026 Rosso Trans Highway 7s kicks off in Lae

Lae MP and Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso and Works and Highways Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, at the official kickoff at Scrum Oval in Lae. (NBC News)

The 2026 Rosso Trans Highway 7s has officially kicked off at Scrum Oval in Lae, with the Lae City Pipes and Drums opening the tournament program.

Works Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr officially opened the tournament, with Lae MP and Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso and Huon District MP Jason Peter also in attendance.

The first match saw PC Ravens take on Gonix Pirates as competition got underway in the three-day tournament, which runs from September 25 to 27.

The tournament features Open Men’s, Under-20 and Women’s divisions, with 24 teams drawn into six pools in the Open Men’s competition.

Pool A: PC Ravens, Gonix Pirates, Galio Tati Bards, Tararan Sagasek
Pool B: Barbarians, Irok Pirates, JKT Lim Vikings, Gerehu Native
Pool C: Kinabot Piggies, Kimbe Rebels, Chemcare Defence, Lae Harlequins
Pool D: Goroka Kingsmen, Black Orchid, Tent City Light, DYY Spartans
Pool E: Goroka Harlequins, Hangan Pirates, New Town Chiefs, Unitech Reds
Pool F: Rabaul Stallions, Patuki Warriors, Malac Wanderers, Kabrats

The Under-20 competition has four pools, while five teams are competing in the Women’s division.

The tournament also features live entertainment, with Kronos performing tonight, Friday, September 25, and Leonard Kania scheduled to perform on Sunday, September 27.

Competition continues throughout the weekend at Scrum Oval, with rugby supporters encouraged to turn out and support the teams.