PNG rugby league 9s teams named

The PNG rugby league 9s men’s and women’s teams to the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa have been finalised.

PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka said the 15 men’s and women’s players were selected from an original train on squad of 25 after intense training over the past three months.

The 15 players (in alphabetical order) and officials are:

PNG MEN’S RL 9s                                    PNG WOMEN’S RL 9s

1. Maya Clarke                                        1. Elsie Albert

2. Sailas Gahuna                                      2. Catherine Anjo

3. Jah Hogen                                            3. Heather Ario

4. Rex Kaupa                                            4. Lynel Aua

5. Joel Kee                                               5. Carol Francis

6. Eliakim Lukura                                    6. Shirley Joe

7. Moses Okapila                                    7. Janet Johns

8. Mega Pali                                            8. Roswita Kapo

9. Bill Paul                                               9. Joan Kuman

10. Solomon Pokare                             10. Lancy Laki

11. John Ragi Jnr                                   11. Lydia Luke

12. Abel Rambi                                      12. Ray Rambi

13. John Stanley                                    13. Winnie Steven

14. Sani Wabo                                        14. Joyce Waula

15. Messech Wallen                              15. Vero Waula

Coach: Leonard Tarum                         Coach: Bagelo Solien

Manager: Ronnie Titie Jnr                   Manager: Ruth Turia

Trainer: Joe Bruno                                Trainer: Dela Audama

Captains will be named over the weekend after the teams arrive in Samoa.

Tsaka said the men’s 9s will be defending the gold medal won at the 2015 Pacific Games in PNG, defeating Samoa 38-10 while this will be the first ever Women’s Rugby League 9s event at a Pacific Games.

Nations taking part in the men’s competition are: PNG, Tonga, Samoa, Tokelau, Cook Islands, Fiji and Solomon Islands. The women’s 9s will see PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Niue and Cook Islands battle it out for the Pacific Golden Team title.

Both teams are currently in camp in Port Moresby. They leave for Samoa on Friday, July 5.

The RL 9s competitions will be held on July 8 and July 9 and will be televised throughout PNG. They return on July 14, 2019.

(The rugby 9s teams yesterday during Team PNG’s farewell at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex)

Author: 
Press release