2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup

The odds are stacked against New Zealand heading into Saturday's decider after they fell in their past four games against Australia, including three defeats at the Auckland Nines at the start of the year and the Anzac Test match in April.

Atai, who celebrated her 40th birthday in October, played in the first World Cup in 2000 and also boasts a winner's medal from the 2008 tournament.

Queensland stalwarts Stephanie Hancock and Renae Kunst will go into Saturday's World Cup final against New Zealand preparing for a final match in green and gold after announcing their retirements prior to the tournament.

On Sunday afternoon at Southern Cross Group Stadium, the England Lionesses will play the Kiwi Ferns and the Australian Jillaroos will play the Canada Ravens.

This Women's Rugby League World Cup has had plenty of special moments so far and plenty of those came out of the three games that happened on Wednesday.

Winless so far, the Orchids have suffered losses to England (36-8) and Canada (22-8) in the 2017 Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

The Rugby League World Cup 2017 website (www.rlwc2017.com) reported that Orchids head coach Dennis Miall was proud of his side despite the result and is looking forward to an improved performance against New Zealand on Wednesday.

“We gave our best and that’s as far as the girls can go,” he said.

“The experience itself they have gained out of this will be taken on by all the girls.”

The brave side came out on top against Papua New Guinea in an incredibly physical match to close out the second round of the group stages.

After an impressive defeat in their first major hit-out three days ago against New Zealand, Canada brought that same resilience tonight in a game where they defended superbly.

Papua New Guinea were attacking in front of a vocal pack of supporters in the Monty Porter Stand, and they were treated to the perfect view of the opening try of the match when Christie Bulhage completed a right-to-left shift and barged her way over.

It was another runaway win by Australia after beating Cook Islands 58-4 on Thursday in the opening pool round. The Jillaroos ran in another eight tries after their 11 on Thursday, with rookie left-side winger Meg ward bagging a double against England.

But the cloud of unsporting behaviour hung over the match.

Miall (pronounced My-all) said it was not what the team expected as England gave a very tough game last Thursday (November 16).

Orchids didn’t do the little things that we were supposed to do, and that was what let the team down, according to Coach Miall.

The experience from England got the better of the PNG girls as the game unfolded however, the real pool matches for the Orchids start today when they take on Canada.

The Canadian team has a rugby union background, and their ability to adapt to the 13-a-side game on field was pleasing for coach Mike Castle.

The Simbu lass shared her rugby league story with TVWan sports, recalling how her first hit was the hardest that she dropped the ball.

Last night though, Kaupa scored PNG Orchids’ first try against England in the 2017 Women’s Rugby League World Cup match.

If there’s one thing that Kaupa stands for, it’s ‘self-belief’.

Kaupa was probably the most excited raring to wear the red, black and gold jumper since making the Oil Search PNG Orchids team.

New Zealand v Canada

New Zealand and Canada began proceedings, and while Kiwi Ferns dominance would not have been surprising to the neutral, the fight and determination that Canada showed was nothing short of inspirational.

They trailed just 16-4 at half-time against a team with various World Cup’s under their best, showcasing what they can do despite the side only being formed in recent times.

The Canadian team has a Rugby Union background, and their ability to adapt to the 13-a-side (on the field) game was very pleasing for coach Mike Castle.