Santos PNG Orchids coach Ben Jeffries has confirmed his 20-player PNG Prime Minister’s XIII Women’s squad to face the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII Women in this Sunday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
The match will be played with unlimited interchange and all 20 players are expected to feature.
With Elsie Albert unavailable for the match due to NRLW semi-final commitments with St George Illawarra Dragons, Orchid #20 Gloria Kaupa will captain the side.
Jeffries said the fixture will be hugely valuable for the Santos PNG Orchids, who have not played a match since November 2019 and recently named a 23-player squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) featuring many new faces.
“It’s exciting to see PM’s XIII back on the international calendar, and this will be a great opportunity for the Santos PNG Orchids squad to get together prior to the world cup in November,” Jeffries said.
“We will have nine players making their first international appearance in PNG colours on Sunday, so we are seeing a new era of Orchids come through.
For some this will be their toughest career test to date, playing against stars of State of Origin, the Australian Jillaroos and other emerging talent from Australia, however the objectives are to see where we are at as a group so we can plan for the upcoming RLWC.
“From an off-field perspective, PM’s XIII will provide our staff and players the opportunity to finally meet each other face-to-face after many months of preparations conducted in local groupings and virtually, to set our objectives and the standards that will assist in driving the Orchids’ RLWC campaign.
“It has been a lengthy process to date, but I know everyone is ready to showcase themselves on the big stage and, most of all, enjoy the experience ahead of us.”
The team will assemble on the Gold Coast on Wednesday 21 September ahead of Sunday’s match at Suncorp Stadium – part of Footy Fest which also features the men’s PM’s XIII clash between Australia and PNG, plus both NRLW semi-finals. Tickets are on sale for the event via nrl.com/tickets and kids under 15 go free with a paying adult.
SANTOS PNG ORCHIDS PM’s XIII SQUAD:
1 Joanne Lagona
2 Anika Butler
3 Belinda Gwasamun
4 Sera Koroi
5 Shae-Yvonne De La Cruz
6 Shirley Joe
7 Lilah Malabag
8 Gloria Kaupa (c)
9 Roswita Kapo
10 Talitha Kunjil
11 Carol Humeu
12 Veronica Waula
13 Essay Banu
14 Martha Molowia
15 Jessikah Reeves
16 Michelle John
17 Shellie Long
18 Therese Aiton
19 Bertshiba Awoi
20 Emily Veivers
The three other players in the Santos PNG Orchids 23-player RLWC squad are Elsie Albert, Lisa-Mari Alu and Elizabeth Kapa.
In one change to the previously announced RLWC squad, North Queensland Gold Stars player Sareka Mooka, who was unable to confirm her eligibility, has been replaced by Emily Veivers, who plays for Brisbane Tigers in the QRLW and was on the list of stand-by Orchids players.
The first ever PM’s XIII on Australian soil has been made possible thanks to the support of the Australian Government, through the PacificAus Sports program.
The program will support PNG’s Prime Minister’s XIII teams to play in Australia.
Source: Santos PNG Orchids FB Page