PNG has shot

By JACK AMI
SPORTS Minister Justin Tkatchenko is throwing his support behind the Papua New Guinea women’s campaign at the 2017 World Rugby League Cup in Sydney.
Tkatchenko said this was a tournament that PNG needed to support and push for the national team’s preparations, leading to their debut at the World Cup.   “I believe we’ve got a very good chance and position of getting a medal in the competition and we’ll be supporting them all the way in their first international tournament,” Tkatchenko said.
PNG’s biggest challenge will be the top two sides in Australia and New Zealand.
Having helped revive the PNGRFL after coming into the portfolio four years ago, Tkatchenko believes women’s rugby league could make leaps and bounds in development if given the right backing.
“Our local players are determined to make their debut at this level. There is a possibility that we may recruit players from Australia but we have a lot of talent here as well.
“Our women are geared for it.
He said he had faith in the PNGRFL, who would coordinate the Kumuls preparations for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, which would be run parallel with the women’s tournament.
The women’s competition in Port Moresby has seen it benefit by inclusion in the 9s tournaments and various off-season competitions ensuring regular competition for some  of the country’s best players.
The women’s squad will be confirmed after the national zone championships in the first half of the year.
Women’s coach Dennis Miall, along with national selectors, will use that nationals to finalise their squad.
The women’s World Cup tournament involves six nations, including PNG, who are in Pool B with New Zealand and Canada. Pool A has Australia, England and the Cook Islands.
PNG play England on Nov 16, Canada on Nov 19 before ending the pool stage against New Zealand on Nov 22.
The top-two from each pool will play in the semi-finals on Nov 26, with the final to be the curtain-raiser to the men’s final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Dec 2.