Defending champs PNG, Orchids begin campaign

HISTORY will be made in rugby league nines at the Samoa Pacific Games, with the Papua New Guinea Orchids taking part in the women’s event being contested for the first time alongside the men’s tournament over two days at Apia Park Stadium from today.
Reflecting the rapid growth of Pacific women’s rugby league since the last Games, the women’s event will feature six countries — Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, PNG, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.
The Orchids, Fiji and Samoa teams include players who participated in 13-a-side test matches for those countries two weeks ago — Fiji’s 28-0 defeat of PNG in Sydney, and Samoa’s 8-46 loss to the Kiwi Ferns in Auckland.
But the hosts will be boosted by the addition of two hugely experienced Kiwi Ferns and NRL women’s players, Maitua Feterika and Luisa Gago, who have opted to represent their Samoan heritage in this event, making Samoa among the medal favourites in a tough-to-predict competition.
PNG and the Solomon Islands comprise players residing and playing in those countries, and this will be the first ever women’s international rugby league event for the Solomon Islands.
All the other women’s teams include some players based in Australia and New Zealand.
Seven nations will contest the men’s event — Cook Islands, Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau and Tonga. Last time out, PNG claimed gold, dominating the event, while Samoa won silver and Tonga collected bronze.
But PNG have sent a far less experienced side to Samoa 2019, leaving the medal contest wide open.
Tonga’s coaching staff includes expertise from the Sydney Roosters, while the Solomon Islands are expected to improve on their winless performance in Port Moresby.
Tokelau’s entry is a huge boost for a country that has never competed in the event at the Pacific Games.
Their team comprise a mixture of players based in Tokelau and New Zealand who have been training in Apia for several weeks.
The event kicks off at 1pm (Samoa time) today. – gamesnewsservice