Cassowaries aim to revive 15s rugby for women

The Papua New Guinea Cassowaries are determined to revive 15s rugby for women in PNG when they host Tonga in their first Test in Port Moresby on Saturday.
Cassowaries coach John Pangkatana explained the challenge in preparing the team with the majority of players mostly from a sevens background.
“It has been a tough grind turning sevens players who have never played competitive 15s rugby over the last two years,” he said.
“Our objectives are to progress with the systems we have in place to develop complete 15s players and to obviously finally get over the line to win our first Test match.
“It will be tough with the Tongans coming with their height and weight advantage but hopefully with the home crowd support at our very own Bava Park, we can get a win.” Pangkatana is hopeful that his young side can provide a strong challenge to the visiting Tongans this weekend.
“Whilst we have yet to finalise our forwards, Gordon Secondary School Grade 12 student Shellane Kopi, Air Nuigini flight attendant Iga Oki and Jane Buku will be the mainstay in the forwards, he said.
“In the backs, it’s a pity we won’t have access to elusive runners Fatima Rama, Kymlie Rapilla and Alice Alois due to the Palais’ sevens programme.
“But we still have longest-serving international Joan Lagona to fill that void with Margaret Naua in the playmaking role and soldier Jill Yallon returning to the side since 2018 to play a lead role.”
Pangkatana said the captain for the Cassowaries would be named during the week.