Kuk one of Aussie-based Orchids to face Fijians

Sports

BRISBANE Broncos centre Amelia Kuk is one of four Australia-based players in coach Nigel Hukula’s Papua New Guinea women’s side to play Fiji in a rugby league international on June 22.
Kuk, who made history as the first PNG-born player in the National Rugby League women’s competition, is expected to lead the Oil Search-sponsored Orchids in their first fixture against the Fiji Bulikula.
Sydney-based Lekkielia Brown (Wentworthville), and Brisbane-based Theresa Aiton (South Logan) and Shae Yvonne Dela-Cruz (Easts) are the other Australia-based Orchids.
Aiton, the sister of former PNG Kumuls hooker Paul Aiton, returns to the side after debuting for PNG last year.
The 20-member squad also includes 12 Southern Confederate players with lock Carol Humeu and speedster Joanne Kuman featuring in the team.
The Oil Search PNG Orchids play Fiji in the first of the Pacific Test triple header at Leichardt Oval, Sydney.
The Orchids team were announced by Oil Search managing director Peter Botten at a media conference at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
Hukula said the team’s captain would be named before they left for Sydney.
He said the squad would join the Australia-based players in Sydney with the team trimmed down to 18.
PNG Orchids: Carol Humeu, Aileen Soni, Joanne Kuman, Lancy Laki, Alvina Hetra, Vero Waula, Winnie Stevens, Roswita Kapo, Samantha Kuman, Catherine Anjo, Gloria Kaupa, Heather Ario, (Southern Confederate), Amelia Kuk, Lekkielia Brown, Shae Yvonne Dela-Cruz, Theresa Aiton (Australia), Nicole Mato, Elsie Albert (New Guinea Islands), Jacobeth Wake (Northern Confederate), Shirley Jerry (Highlands).