Kaupa eager for more tries

By JACK AMI
Papua New Guinea Orchids leading tryscorer Naomi Kaupa, pictured, is eager to keep adding to her tally on the international stage.
Kaupa told The National that she was proud to be the leading try scorer for her country since debuting last year.
“I want to continue scoring more tries for PNG,” she said.
“To be honest, we were all nervous on our international debuts but we just took it as it came.
“This was the only way to get us there and we did it the hard way by playing our hearts out.
“Despite losing, it was still a learning process for us.
The 26-year-old from Salt-Nomane, Chimbu, added to her tally when she scored the Orchids’ only try against the Australian women’s Prime Minister’s 13 side at the National Football Stadium earlier this month.
“Going out there to play an international match, we have a lot of pride wearing the gold, red and black jumper,” Kaupa said.
She described the first try she scored against England at the 2017 World Rugby League Cup in Sydney as an emotional moment for her.
“This was incredible as it gave me the courage to build my young career,” Kaupa said.
“Brisbane Broncos’ Amelia Kuk was inspiration to all the local players during the World Cup.
“I scored my second try against the Broncos in Brisbane (last month).
“My father (John) watched me play and was very proud of me for representing my family, province and country.”
She said it was an honour playing alongside Kuk, Tahina Booth, Therese Aiton, Jenni-Sue Hoepper, captain Carol Humeu, Janet Michael and Grace Mark.
“We had to encourage our young players to focus and get their mindsets right, with Kuk being the role model for most of us as she was playing in the in NRL Women’s competition in Australia.
“I had a bad year coming late in the Port Moresby Rugby League competition but because of my background, I was selected for the train-on squad for the Southern Confederate trials.
“I thank PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka, chief executive Reatau Rau, Southern Confederate director Gwaibo Mairi, the national selectors and major sponsors Oil Search for giving me the opportunity to represent my country.
“I’d also like to thank my family, friends and all the supporters for getting behind the Orchids.”