Historic PNG tour tough challenge for England

CAPTAIN Emily Rudge says England’s historic tour of Papua New Guinea will be one of the toughest challenges her side have faced.
The St Helens second-rower said playing the Orchids in PNG was a good stepping stone for her side’s 2021 Women’s Rugby League World Cup preparations.
“I have experienced playing the Orchids in the 2017 World Cup in Australia,” The 27 year-old said.
“We met again in the nines last month and they really are a physical side.
“For some of these girls, they have never played against PNG and coming here for the first time will be a challenge for them to overcome.”
Rudge said the tour was not only good for the them but a step forward for women’s rugby league in England, PNG and the rest of the world.
“It’s massive for our country that this is the first time we’ve ever toured a country, apart from the World Cup.
“We only get to play France but to come here for a two-test series is big.”
Rudge said the team were excited to experience PNG and its cultures.
“We have watched couple of documentaries on the England Knights tour of PNG last year,” she said. “They (England Knights) shared their experiences and we are excited to actually come here and get a feel of that.” Rudge said her team had a good preparation leading up to tour and they were ready to face the Orchids.
Their second match against the Orchids will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Kumuls-British Lions clash at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby next Saturday.