Aussie resident named in Orchids squad

Australian resident, Jazmyn Taumafai, has been named in the 19-player Oil Search PNG Orchids squad for this weekend’s warm-up match in Cairns.

Taumafai, whose mother was born in PNG, is eligible to play for the Orchids and brings a wealth of experience.

Based in Brisbane, Taumafai is a cousin to PNG LNG Kumuls forward Kurt Baptiste. She will join the Orchids in Cairns.

Oil Search PNG Orchids coach, Dennis Miall, in a media statement today said Taumafai has represented Queensland in the women’s rugby league interstate challenge against New South Wales and will play in this warm up match.

Taumafai, when contacted in Brisbane, said she is beyond excited and humbled to be given the chance to represent and play for PNG.

Orchids coach said the Orchids will be playing a mayor’s invitational side made up of female players from Far North Queensland.

Oil Search PNG Orchids were invited by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council to participate in this international rugby league exhibition to play the curtain raiser to a pre-World Cup warm up match between Tonga and Italy.

Coach Miall says this will be a valuable test for the PNG side as a large number of Queensland and Australian Jillaroos representatives hail from Far North Queensland.

PNGRFL chairman, Sandis Tsaka, urged the Oil Search PNG Orchids to enjoy the experience and make the most of this opportunity.

The team travels to Cairns on Thursday for the 6.30pm match on Friday 20th October at Callendar Park, Innisfail.

They return on Saturday while the final 24-player squad for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup will be named early next week.

(Jazmyn Taumafai training with the QLD women's team in 2014)

Author: 
Sophie Yaruso