PNG Orchids to host home matches
Papua New Guinea Orchids are set to host two home matches when the 2026 Rugby League World Cup kicks off this weekend.
The Orchids will face France in their round one fixture at the Santos National Football Stadium this Saturday.
This year’s squad consist of experienced veterans from the NRLW space, Queensland Cup and the Santos Cup competition in PNG.
Orchids will feature a vast number of experienced players making their return for another World Cup including NRLW stars Elsie Albert, Essay Banu, Ua Ravu and Emily Veivers while Fleur Ginn, Tia Molo and Mya Muller are set to make their world cup debut.
Former PNG Rugby 7s representatives Naomi Kelly and Cynthia Peters join fellow elites Gemma Schnaubelt, Anika Butler for their world cup debut after outstanding season in PNG and Australia respectively.
There’s also great inclusion of notable talents from the Santos Cup including Belinda Gwasamun who was a top try scorer and points scorer among Veivers in the previous tour.
They have earned their spot to wear the tri-colors at this World Cup while Australia XVs Wallaroos capped winger Ivania Wong joins the team marking her debut for PNG and with the Orchids in this campaign.
Meanwhile PNG Orchids best finish at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup edition in England was making it all the way to the semi-finals.
Despite their heavy loss against Australia, their semi-finals finish marks the highest rank since the women’s national team made their world cup debut in 2017 against England.
Their biggest win was a 70-Nil victory over Brazil during the previous world cup. As per the International Rugby League ranks, the PNG Women sit 6th overall in the world.
This year’s world cup will be tough with the rise of women’s rugby in domestic and international competitions.
The Orchids are placed in Pool B where they face France and the Fiji Bulikula in two straight weekend at Santos National Football Stadium before taking on New Zealand’s Kiwi Ferns during round 3 at the C-Bus Super Stadium in Gold Coast.
Meanwhile defending champions Australian Jillaroos sit in Pool A along with England, Wales and Samoa with less than 4 days remaining to the kick off in Australia and PNG.
PNG Orchids Squad: Therese Aiton (Ipswich Jets), Elsie Albert (Parramatta Eels), Essay Banu (North Queensland Cowboys), Annika Butler (Maitland Pickers), Jenny David (Brisbane Tigers), Fleur Ginn (Parramatta Eels), Belinda Gwasamun (Mt. Hagen Eagles), Josephine Howard (Central Dabaris), Jasmine Joe (Port Moresby Vipers), Naomi Kelly (Central Dabaris), Shellie Long (Northern Pride), Mala Mark (Central Dabaris), Tia Molo (Brisbane Broncos), Mya Muller (Penrith Panthers), Vanessa Nakkas (Central Dabaris), Cynthia Peters (Rabaul Gurias), Ua Ravu (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jafinda Sap (Central Dabaris), India Seeto (Brisbane Tigers), Emily Vievers (North Queensland Cowboys), Gemma Walker (Western Clydesdales), Ivania Wong (Act Brumbies), Relna Wuruki-Hosea (Canberra Raiders)
Development Players: Gian Kaupa (Lae Snax Tigers), Jacinta Garry (Mt. Hagen Eagles), Joyce Hobert (Port Moresby Vipers)