PNG Women’s XIII to face ADF in curtain-raiser to Hunters match

The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League [PNGRFL] Women’s XIII team will face off against the Australian Defence Force [ADF] Women’s Rugby League side this Sunday, in a high-profile curtain-raiser ahead of the Round 13 Hostplus Cup clash between the SP PNG Hunters and the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

The match scheduled for 1:00pm kick off, marks a key moment in the PNGRFL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its women’s rugby league program. The game also serves as a crucial hit-out for players vying for spots in the 2024 Santos Cup and the PNG NRL Bid Championships.

Head coach Tahnee Norris has named Belinda Gwasamun and Leila Kerowa as co-captains for the fixture, highlighting their experience and leadership qualities as instrumental in guiding a young and developing squad.

“Belinda and Leila as co-captains and with their experience will be guiding and leading the way for many of the younger girls in the team and I’m confident in their leadership of the team,” Norris said.

The squad has been in camp since last Sunday, participating in the PNGRFL BETTER Program, an initiative focused on developing core skills, discipline, and professionalism as well as sessions with the NRL Bid Academy.

“As a team we are focused on developing this group of players and building on what they are learning in their BETTER programs and the NRL Bid Academy, putting that into the game. Our focus is to focus on the fundamentals and compete,” she said.

Following Sunday’s match, the PNG Women’s XIII will face an even bigger challenge when they take on the Brisbane Broncos NRLW side in an international showdown on Sunday, 22 June.
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