The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and the PNG Orchids Chair have congratulated PNG Orchids’ Essay Banu and PNG Kumuls’ Jacob Alick-Wiencke on their selection to the NRL Indigenous All Stars 2025 Teams. PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Hondina and PNG Orchids Chair, Celestine Ove said as a sport and as a nation, people must understand the importance and pride in supporting our players to represent their heritage when the opportunity arises. “For PNG Orchids prop, Essay Banu, her selection to the Indigenous All Stars Women’s team is a real win and further testament to her ability. To have a PNG Orchids player in Essay selected at this level will mean she can draw on the experiences of other players across Australia and the newly appointed Jillaroos coach, Jess Skinner who has also previously been in charge of the NRL Indigenous Women's Academy development programs." These highly competitive NRL matches will not only improve their performance but build their character. “With the closeness of the ties of the Indigenous Australians, the Torres Strait Islanders and Papua New Guinea, their selection makes it a natural link." "There will be no impact on Essay and Jacob still being able to represent Papua New Guinea."