Big test for Cassowaries

By ROBINSON LEKA
IT will be a test of the mind and body for the Cassowaries (national women’s 15s team) when they face Tonga in Port Moresby tomorrow (3.30pm kick-off).
The Cassowaries, under the guidance of coach John Pangkatana, have named co-captains Iga Oki and Jill Yallon to lead tomorrow as PNG host a test match for the first time.
He told The National that a positive attitude would be crucial for the Cassowaries against a bigger Tongan outfit at the Bava Park.
“Size has always being an issue for us for many years, so we’ve been working hard on that for the whole of last year,” Pangkatana said.
“It all depends on the girls’ mental capacity to build in their phases and take them on early in the tackles.
“It’s a big ask but the defensive system we’ve employed is to deny them space.
“We’ve been working hard on our mental attitude to cope and in the spirit of playing for PNG, hopefully the home crowd can get us going.”
Following the side’s first outing during the Oceania Women’s Rugby Championship in November, the Cassowaries will be backing their chances with the services of veteran international Joanne Logona and overseas-based pair Clare Akauma (Canada) and Marina Kavana (Australia).
“Clare has been showing interest to play for the national team for some time and she adds some size in the forwards as a second-rower and Marina is a specialist tight-head prop.
“We don’t have many specialist props so with Marina, half our problems in the scrum are solved so that’s a bonus for us.” Grandstand seats are K10 for adults and K5 for children. Outer stands are K5 for adults and K2 for children.