Orchids to host trials

THE selection process for the national women’s team to the end-of-year Rugby League World Cup will continue with 34 players meeting in a trial match in Port Moresby on Saturday.
Papua New Guinea Orchids coach Ben Jeffries will travel from Australia to Papua New Guinea this week to observe training sessions and the match at the Santos National Football Stadium.
Initially, it was hoped that 10 Australian-based potential Orchids players would compete in the trial match alongside their PNG-based counterparts.
But this has been deferred in line with a recent decision by the Queensland Rugby League to delay the SP Hunters’ return to Port Moresby due to election-related unrest in the country.
Instead, Jeffries will continue to consider overseas-based players while having the chance to watch an additional 10 PNG-based players in the trial.
“It’s unfortunate that our Australia-based cohort will be unable to travel for this match,” Jeffries said.
“But I have been fortunate to see many of them play live already whereas this will be the first opportunity for me to see some of our PNG-based cohort in action rather than just on video.
“For the additional 10 PNG-based players who have been promoted to the extended squad for the trial, it’s a wonderful opportunity for them to stake their claim for selection,” said the recently appointed head coach.
The 17 Australian and United Kindgom-based players who are still being considered for the final squad are Angela Watego (Wynnum Manly), Anika Butler (Knight), Elsie Albert (Dragons), Emily Veivers (Brisbane Tigers), Essay Banu (Wynnum Manly), Gemma Schnaubelt (Souths Logan), Jessica Carey (Brisbane Tigers), Jessikah Reeves (Souths Logan), Latoniya Norris (Wynnum Manly), Layna Nona-Busch (Rabbitohs, Western Australia), Sareka Mooka (Gold Stars), Sera Koroi (Souths Logan), Shae Yvonne de la Cruz (Souths Logan), Shellie Long (Brisbane Tigers), Tara Moxon (Leeds), Therese Aiton (Rabbitohs), Ua Ravu (Bulls, New South Wales).
The final Santos-sponsored 23-man squad will be named later this month.
Squad: Team Black – Joanne Lagona (Southern), Maria Simon (Northern), Belinda Gwasamun (Highlands), Martha Karl (Northern), Freda Waula (Southern), Shirley Joe (Northern), Elizabeth Kapa (Southern), Talita Kunjil (Highlands), Mellie Joe (Highlands), Gloria Kaupa (Highlands), Bethshiba Awoi (Southern), Vero Waula (Southern), Janet Michael (Southern), Lisa Bina (Southern), Erswin Kaiat (New Guinea Islands), Seroges Sabumei (Highlands), Doreen William (Southern); Team Red – Lyiannah Allen (Highlands), Lisa-Marie Alu (Highlands), Martha Molowia (Southern), Lancy Laki (Southern), Lidia Luke (Northern), Delilah Ahose (Highlands), Lila Malabag (Southern), Regila Wilfred (Highlands), Roswita Kapo (Southern), Michelle John (Northern), Carol Humeu (Southern), Benoti Kuman (Southern), Leilah Kerowa (Southern), Lorraine Tarao (NGI), Shirley Luke (Southern), Brenda Goro (Southern), Janet Johns (Southern).