Palais star opts out

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

STAR Papua New Guinea women’s rugby union sevens player Joan Lagona is a glaring omission from the Palais team. 

This follows the confirmation of the 12-member PNG Palais team that will be taking part in the Australian National Women’s Rugby Championship’s to be staged at the Sir Ignatius College, in Sydney, on April 13-15. 

The try-scoring freak who has bailed the team out on countless occasions at the international level has not shown interest in playing anymore.

Lagona was featured during a promotional game at Lalaura Village, in Central, recently.

She had on several occasions following that trip said she was quitting the game that brought her international stardom.

Lagona has the capability of winning games single-handedly, following her stand-out performances in 2012 at the Oceania Championships in Lautoka and Australia’s National Rugby Championships. It is understood that disciplinary issues may have caused the demise of the Palais strike weapon.

However, that has opened the door for PNG Defence Force soldier Julianne Yallon and Cassandra Samson to show cause out wide, plus the no-nonsense Lily Mulake to add much needed beef in the middle. 

PNG Palais coach John Larry is however confident that the ongoing development of some new faces will make up for that loss.

The squad still has experience at this level with Dulcie Bomai, Margaret Naua and Kaila Benny returning to the scene.

The other members of the squad are Lynette Kwarula, Alice Gabi Alois, Menda Ipat, Kymlie Rapilla, Susie Morofa and Naomi Alapi.

The assistant coach and manager is Cecil Davani.

The Palais are pooled with Australian Touch, Australian OZTAG and National Indigenous in Pool C. There are four pools of 16 teams in the tournament, with the majority of the teams being State sides plus the Australian Services.

The team leaves on April 12.