ANDREW ANDIKI TAKES THE REIGN AS WIGMEN HEAD COACH

BY BENJAMIN KOITAKA

HELA Wigmen has announced the signing of Andrew Andiki as the new head coach of the club, heading into the 2026 Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup competition.

Wigmen Chief Executive Patrick Wundai confirmed to this masthead that Andiki will replace outgoing Ian Yaro, who was with the club for the past three seasons.

Wundai further added that Andiki, who was once at the helm as Wigmen coach back in the 2019-20, taking the team into top six play-offs, will oversee the team as the lead mentor and coaching director for this season, with the contract extensions depends entirely on the team’s performance.

He added that the Kroton-sponsored Wigmen already resume their pre-season training and selections and eyeing a strong comeback this year, when the competition resumes later on in April.

“Yes, we have to let him (Ian Yaro) go,” Wigmen CEO Wundai said.
“Andiki is the new head coach of the team in 2026 season.”

Wigmen with their recent successful Ben Hetra Memorial Nine’s rugby league tournament hosted in Tari, paved way for more local talent entering the Hela franchise in this year’s preseason training and the final squad will be announced before the competition starts.

Meanwhile, Kandes is the only new franchise coming into the PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNG NRLC), basing outside of Madang province, at the expense of Kimbe Cutters, who are sidelined for this year by PNGNRLC.