Soccer’s Morris in Palais squad

By WENDY KATUSELE
CURRENT soccer international player Rumona Morris is one of six debutants named in rugby’s national women’s Palais train-on squad for this month’s Hong Kong Sevens.
The tournament, also a Commonwealth Games qualifier, is from March 28 with PNG in a tough pool against South Africa and Brazil.
Morris, the current Under20 women’s soccer captain was outstanding at last weekend’s national rugby provincial championships in Port Moresby.
However, whether she accepts the opportunity to become a dual international could not be established yesterday with attempts to contact her unsuccessful.
Morris and her two other Madang team-mates, Brisbane-based Marlugu Dixon and Amelia Kuk join three other players from the Highlands as debutants in the squad announced yesterday.
Eighteen-year-old Morris, Kuk and best and fairest player of the tournament Dixon led Madang to the plate final, losing to Port Moresby’s Sisters last Sunday.
The other three Highlands players are rugby league converts Barbara Sesel, Michelle John and Molina Michael who impressed selectors with their defensive skills and high work rate in general play.
Assistant coach Sailosi Druma said the inclusion of the three Madang players would boost the Palais as they have international experience.
Druma also said the NPC had allowed Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union to draw talents from other sports like rugby league and soccer.
“The composition of the team is well balanced with 11 current Palais and six debutants,” Druma said.
Two players recalled to the national scene are Jemimah Meraudje and Cassandra Sampson after missing out last year while the nine are current national players.
The team will assemble in Port Moresby next Tuesday in preparation for the international engagement.
The  squad: Kuk, Lynette Kwarula, Jemaima Meraudje, Doris Joseph, Dixon, Dulcie Bomai, Michael, Kymlie Rapilla, Menda Ipat, Morris, Sesel, John, Freda Waula, Sampson, Alice Alois, Pauline Arazi.