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)