Pepes ready for challenge

 By HENRY MORABANG

PAPUA New Guinea netball coach Unaisi Rokoura will not treat anything lightly as her charges take on Solomon Islands on Day One of the netball competition at the PNG Power Dome today.

Preparation has been going on well for the Pepes as they gear up for the challenge.

“We’ve been working on different areas on the court, especially on defence and attack, and the first game will be a real test for the PNG Pepes,” Rokoura said.

She said they respected the Solomon Islands team which has one of the best coaches in the region in PNG’s very own Annie Iamo.

“I’ve always reminded the girls to step up if they want to make the starting seven, and I know that the girls won’t let the country down in the opening match against our Melanesian sisters,” the former Fiji player and coach said.

Though Fiji and Samoa are seeded first and second respectively, PNG will have the home advantage.

Fiji has the easiest path to the final, only having to advance from a three-team group, while Samoa and Papua New Guinea will try to come out of Pool B, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

The quarter-finals will be played on Friday, July 17, with the finals a day later.

After Solomon Islands, PNG will go against Tonga tomorrow and Samoa on Wednesday.

PNG Pepes: 

Lua Rikis, Tiata Baldwin, Jepeth Tulapi, Herronie Daera (shooters), Winnie Mavara, Jacklyn Lahari, Nerrie Adula, Shannah Dringo (midcourt), Kilala Owen, Margaret Eka, Raka Nope and Susan Wellington (defenders)