League 9s teams ready for Games in Samoa

PAPUA New Guinea begin their title defence when they face 2015 Pacific Games bronze medalists Tonga in the men’s rugby league nines opener in Apia, Samoa, this month.
Samoa will only be the third time rugby league has been a medal event at the Pacific Games and will feature a record seven nations with Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Cook Islands and Tokelau all joining the hosts.
Gahuna Sailas is expected to play a huge part in the title defence after the SP Hunters rake, who was member of the gold-medal winning team in 2015, was named in the final squad yesterday.
All the players picked for in the squad are from the Digicel Cup, with the exception Aroma Coast youngster Mega Pali, who feature prominently for Southern Nines champions Lako last year.
PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka said the 15 men’s and women’s players were selected after intensive training over the past three months.
“The captains will be named over the weekend after the teams arrive in Samoa,” he said.
The women’s event will be making its debut in Samoa.
PNG Orchids’ Veronica Waula, Catherine Anjo, Joan Kuman, Elsie Albert and Roswita Kapo have all been named in the women’s side.
Both teams leave for Samoa later this week. The two-day event, which will take place at Apia Park Stadium, will be held from Monday and will be televised throughout PNG.
They return on July 14.
Men: Maya Clarke (Mendi Muruks), Sailas Gahuna, Jah Hogen (Goroka Lahanis), Rex Kaupa (Central Dabaris), Joel Kee (Port Moresby Vipers), Eliakim Lukura (Rabaul Gurias), Moses Okapila (Gulf Isou), Mega Pali, Bill Paul (Hela Wigmen), Solomon Pokari (Rabaul Gurias), John Ragi Jr (Rabaul Gurias), Abel Rambi (Mendi Muruks), John Stanley (Central Dabaris), Sani Wabo (Lae Tigers), Messech Wallen (Mendi Muruks).
Women: Elsie Albert, Catherine Anjo, Heather Ario, Lynel Aua, Carol Francis, Shirley Joe, Janet Johns, Roswita Kapo, Joan Kuman. Lancy Laki. Lydia Luke, Ray Rambi, Winnie Steven, Joyce Waula, Vero Waula.