Amelia Kuk

Aiton, who is only the third Orchids international to earn an NRLW contract after Amelia Kuk and Elsie Albert, has created a scholarship program to help promising PNG players further their careers in Australia.

Albert, the Orchids captain and St George Illawarra prop, was the first beneficiary after Aiton organised for her to come to Brisbane in 2020 to play for Souths Logan Magpies.

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.

Born in Mt Hagen, 23-year-old Amelia Kuk becomes the first participant of the Oil Search player pathway program.

Kuk represented the Oil Search PNG Orchids in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

Her father, who is in the mining sector, was transferred to Brisbane, Australia, in 2008.

Kuk was in Grade Eight when they opted to settle there.

With a background in volleyball, Kuk made the transition to rugby after coming across a University of Queensland women’s team in training.

Amelia Kuk will be part of the team when they take on New South Wales on June 22.

The match will be held at North Sydney Oval and will mark the first occasion that the game will be played under the State of Origin brand (previously named the Interstate Challenge).

Queensland will be coached by former Origin hooker Jason Hetherington with former Jillaroos Nat Dwyer and Karyn Murphy his assistant coaches.

From rugby union to rugby league, Amelia Kuk is no pushover.

Women’s rugby league is on the verge of a new era, with the move into a semi-professional environment, thanks to the introduction of an NRL-run competition from 2018, which follows on from the success of recent women’s Tests at the NRL Auckland Nines and 2017 Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

Taking a look at the top 10 female league players in the world right now, PNG Orchids five-eighth Kuk made number 10 for her outstanding performance during the WRLWC 2017.

Amelia Kuk has had nothing but praise for the PNG Orchids since joining camp this week.

The 21-year-old rugby star is obviously proud of her Kolpoga heritage, coming from the Kopi tribe in the Western Highlands Province, and says the change from union to league has been somewhat rejuvenating.

Kuk is a 7s player, having represented PNG. However, she made her debut this year with the Jillaroos at the Auckland 9s and taking the field against the Orchids during the PM’s XIII match was the hardest thing she’s had to do.

The 24-year-old debuted for the Australian Jillaroos in last month’s curtain raiser to the PNG PM’s XIII and Australian PM’s XIII match against the PNG Orchids in Port Moresby.

She unfortunately missed out on selection into the Australian team for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

“We contacted her and she was over the moon to join the PNG Orchids. She was here last month and got on well with the PNG Orchids so she will not be new to the players. Her inclusion brings that experience to our side,” said Orchids coach, Dennis Miall.