Oil Search PNG Orchids

Committee confident in new PNG side

Chairperson Ruth Waram voiced this sentiment during the announcement of the team on Friday.

Fifteen new faces have been named in the Oil Search PNG Orchids 20-player squad for the upcoming two Test series against the touring England women’s team to PNG in November.

The remaining five original members of Orchids are Elsie Albert, Carol Humeu, Shirley Joe, Roswita Kapo and Gloria Kaupa.

“I think we have combined a good mix of both the PNG-based players as well as a number of women who are playing in competitions in Australia,” Waram stated.

Teams bond well ahead of World Cup 9s

This has paved way for UK-based Wartovo Puara Jnr and PNG Hunters captain, Moses Meninga, into the 15-man squad.

The Kumuls and the Oil Search PNG Orchids teams had their first run on Tuesday at the National Football Stadium.

Under the watchful eyes of head coach Michael Marum and his assistant, Digicel Cup Champions Lae Snax Tigers mentor, Stanley Tepend, the team had its first run as part of its bonding process. 

PNG Orchids named for Broncos trial match

The Oil Search PNG Orchids team for this weekend’s trial match against the Brisbane Broncos Women will be coached by Pacific Games silver medal winning coach Bagello Solien.

The Team (Orchid No. /d-debutant in brackets) is:

1. Carol Francis (d) Southern

2. Jacobeth Wake (26) Northern

3. Lancy Laki (d) Southern

4. Joyce Waula (d) Southern

5. Catherine Anjo (27) Southern

6. Heather Ario (d) Southern

7. Lila Malabag (d) Southern

8. Elsie Albert (30) NGI

9. Shirley Joe (7) Northern

Brave performance in Pacific Test: Coach

Despite a 28-0 loss to the Fiji Bulikula, Oil Search PNG Orchids Coach Nigel Hukula said he was extremely proud of the team’s effort.

“The numbers on the board are secondary. The numbers the Oil Search PNG Orchids produce in the future by these ladies’ effort today is what will be counted,” he said.

“They competed till the end with grit and resilience, which is testimony to what PNG women are made of.”

United under one banner: PNGRFL

“They will be representing not only their family, but a nation, a people of a thousand different tribes with over 850 languages. But all will be united under the banner of rugby league,” says the PNG Rugby Football League.

“We have a number of debutants from both our teams, they all have a story to tell, a legacy to continue and to create.

Kuk to captain Orchids in Pacific Test match

The 24-year-old, originally from Western Highlands Province, becomes only the second captain of the National Test team after Cathy Neap.

Kuk will lead a new-look Oil Search PNG Orchids Team with 13 debutants in the 18-woman side currently in Sydney.

“She brings that leadership, and she brings together the players who are based in Australia as well as the PNG-based girls, by speaking Tok Pisin and also having that understanding of where we are in women’s rugby league and where we want to go,” coach Hukula said from Sydney.

Change in leadership for PNG Orchids

Jennie-Sue Hoepper was initially named captain of the Orchids when the new team took on the Brisbane Broncos Women on October 2nd.

Humeu, who was selected from the Southern Confederate side, was the assistant captain when they took on the Broncos.

The 23-year-old of Simbu, Wabag and Central parentage, led the Southern Confederates to victory during the 2018 National Women’s Championships.

Coach Westley said while Hoepper had experience, she currently needs to concentrate on doing fitness and ball work.

Orchids side named to face Jillaroos

The bulk of the team remains from the squad that played the Brisbane Broncos early this month in Australia, while there are some new faces.

Amelia Kuk, who played for Broncos against the Orchids, now joins the squad to take on the Jillaroos in the second curtain raiser to the Prime Minister’s XIII match.

The recent Regional trials have seen the selection of Lilah Malabag and Betty Kawak from the Southern Confederate and Elmah Turpa from the NGI.

Oil Search PNG Orchids Team:

PNG Orchids’ valiant efforts in historical match

The new breed of PNG players valiantly fought until the final whistle.

5 minutes into the game and former PNG Orchids, Amelia Kuk, scored for the Broncos.

An unsuccessful kick left the score at 4-nil until Stephanie Hancock found her way over the visitors’ line after a few minutes.

Chelsea Baker converted for the Broncos, with the team now 10 points ahead.

Soon after, the Orchids responded through a barging run from Naomi Kaupa. An unsuccessful conversion by captain Jenni-Sue Hoepper left the scores at 10-4.

Jennie-Sue Hoepper captains PNG Orchids

Coach David Westley made the announcement yesterday in Port Moresby.

He said Hoepper brings with her a wealth of experience in the game and is a proven leader both on and off the field.

“She has been involved in the game for a long time and has played at the highest level for both Queensland and Australia. I have every confidence in her to lead this team into the future,” Westley said.

“Jennie-Sue leads by example and does exactly that both on and off the field,” the coach added.