PNG women drawn in Group B of Women’s World Cup

The National Sports

By PARKER TAMBUA and JACK AMI
THE Oil Search Papua New Guinea Orchids have been placed with host England, Canada and newcomers Brazil in Group B of the 2021 Women’s Rugby League World Cup (Nov 9-27) announced last week.
The women’s tournament which will be held for the sixth time has seen the inclusion of two nations, Brazil and France, in the extended eight-team tournament. It will be the second World Cup appearance for the Orchids, who are ranked fourth in the world after jumping four places up when they defeated world number three, England 20-16 in Port Moresby in November last year.
The Orchids will again meet world No.5 Canada and host England for the second time in World Cup pool matches after they met at the last World Cup (2017) which saw them lose 22-8 to Canada and 36-8 to England. Building off the Orchids’ maiden win last year, the PNGRFL is expected to increase support and preparations as women’s rugby league grows in the country.
Players such as captain Elsie Albert and Brisbane-based Amelia Kuk are two of the Orchids most noted performers and are expected to feature in next year’s squad.
For Brazil, it will be their maiden appearance in the World Cup. The Brazilians, who are ranked 11th in the world were the shock inclusion in the tournament after they beat the higher ranked Argentina 48-0 last year in a qualifier and the Orchids will get to play them for the first time.
The draws were conducted by Prince Harry at the Buckingham Palace in London, England on Thursday. According to Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) the full schedules of the matches will be released in the coming months. Meanwhile, the Orchids coaching job has not been confirmed with Bagelo Solien, who oversaw the team to its first victory, a contender as the position is expected to be advertised after the PNGRFL annual general meeting on March 7.
The position has not been a settled one as former Kumuls David Wesley and Nigel Hukula had brief stints in charge of the team over the last two years.