PRL Team One start as favourites to retain Southern Confederate title

PAPUA New Guinea Orchids-dominated Port Moresby Rugby League (PRL) Team One will start as favourites to retain the Southern Confederation Championship at Kwikila Oval in Rigo, Central, today.
The atmosphere and environment will be different from the big city of Port Moresby with supporters from surrounding villages expected to converge on the oval.
But the defending champions’ biggest threat will be Aroma Coast which is made up of PRL, Moresby Souths and Pom Suburban second-string players. The side will be led by coach and former Orchids captain Cathy Neap, trainer Della Audama and prop Maima Wei.
They will face PRL’s Veronica Waula, Carol Humeu, Catherine Anjo and Gloria Kaupa. PRL also have two other teams in the women’s tournament.
Moresby South and Pom Suburban should put up a strong fight, while Koiari, Kerema, Motu-Koita and championship debutants Isouposa look to provide quality opposition.
Southern director Gwaibo Mairi said the women’s tournament would be an eye-opener for women in Rigo.
Mairi said this would open barriers for Central women to be given equal rights to participate in such tournaments.
He commended Koiari, Kerema, Motu Koita and Isouposa for fielding sides at the championships in an attempt to involve women in the sport at the village level.
Mairi said all players would be pushing for selection into the confederation train-on squads.
He said spots in the Orchids were not guaranteed so representative players would have to perform to earn their places in the side.