Coach Solien says Orchids aiming to make a statement

Sports

THE Papua New Guinea Orchids are not going to the World Cup Nines to make up the numbers but to produce results in Sydney, Australia.
These were the words of head coach Bagelo Bugsy Solien during a media conference at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
“It’ll be tough against Australia, New Zealand and England but we are not there to make up the numbers but produce results,” Solien said ahead of the Oct 18-19 tournament at Bankwest Stadium.
“I have a fair idea of how the Australians and New Zealanders play.
“We watch a lot of their football on television so it’s up to us to get the basics right in our matches.
“We are going to work hard and polish up on our defence.
“We look to stop the skilful and smart players in the Australian and New Zealand teams.
“This is the area that we need to work on.
“We need to be moving up and defending solidly as a team.
“I also have smart Australian-based players in centre Sera Koroi (Goodna Eagles, Queensland), fullback Ua Ravu (Leeton Greens, New South Wales) and halfback Angelo Watego (Capalaba Warriors, Queensland) to lead our backs.”
“They will be supported by Joyce Waula, Roswita Kapo, Carol Francis and Josephine Wong, who has speed to burn when she’s in the clear.”
“In the Orchids forward pack, I’m expecting big things from Elsie Albert, Vero Waula, Janet Johns and Gloria Kaupa, who replaced Shae-Yvonne Dela Cruz.
“All these players should play with purpose against the opposition.
“It’s good that we retained several of our players from the Pacific Games after PNG won silver.
“The trial against the Brisbane Broncos also put us in the right frame of mind leading up to the World Cup.”