Pepes ready for first challenge

PAPUA New Guinea Pepes are ready for their first Commonwealth Games match.
They will be facing New Zealand today at 11am (local time).
Co-captain Mona-Lisa Leka said the team was in good shape and theywere looking forward to the game.
They had a taste of the atmosphere when they had a warm-up match against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday night.
Pepes lost that game but they used it to shake off their nerves and get a feel of things.
“We got everyone to have a run on Saturday so they can get use to the lights, the court and the general atmosphere of the games,” Leka said.
She said the team was preparing well, there were no major health issues or concerns for them and they were focused for a big game today.
Leka is the only one on the team who had played against New Zealand, but this was in the Under 21 division.
“That was a long time ago and a lot of the players and the style of play has changed,” she said.
She said most of the Pepes had international experience and would  be playing to their strengths against the taller, stronger New Zealanders.
“Our main strength is our speed and we also have some really good shooters so that’s an advantage for us,” Leka said.
Leka, who plays centre and wing attack, will be leading the Pepes in one of the biggest games in her carreer and is hoping for a memorable result.