Brooke Anderson of the Kiwi Ferns. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Kiwi Ferns v PNG Orchids
Kickoff: 3:35pm, Sunday 3rd November
Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
The Papua New Guinea Orchids will be hoping their home ground advantage of Port Moresby will play into their favour when lining up against the Kiwi Ferns for just the second time ever. Whilst the Kiwi women misfired in a tough match against the Jillaroos last weekend in Christchurch, the PNG Orchids went down a whopping 84 - 0 the week before to Australia in what was a record breaking loss in the women's game.
PNG will be racing to regroup after a complete systems failure in week one of the Pacific Championships, but the Kiwi Ferns face the extremely daunting task of travelling over to Papua New Guinea for the very first time.
With a place in the Women's Pacific Championship final on the line, everything is at stake.
Alexis Tauaneai of the Kiwi Ferns. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Here's a look at the teams:
Kiwi Ferns: 1. Shanice Parker 2. Mackenzie Wiki 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Abigail Roache 5. Leiante Tufuga 6. Gayle Broughton 7. Tyler King 8. Brianna Clark 9. Brooke Anderson 10. Alexis Tauaneai 11. Najvada George 12. Amber Hall 13. Georgia Hale (C)
Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Otesa Pule 16. Brooke Talataina 17. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
PNG Orchids: 1. Shae Yvonne De La Cruz 2. Mala Mark 3. Belinda Gwasamun 4. Jenny Wesley 5. Lyiannah Allen 6. Sera Koroi 7. Ua Ravi 8. Elsie Albert (C) 9. Therese Aiton 10. Essay Banu 11. Leila Kerowa 12. Emily Veivers 13. Sareka Mocka
Interchange: 14. Delailah Ahose 15. Jessica Reeves 16. Gloria Kaupa 17. Yolanda Taute
Kiwis Ferns selections
Yasmin Clydsdale of Australia and Brianna Clark of New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The big talk around the Kiwi Ferns this week is the long awaited debut of Canberra Raider Mackenzie Wiki - daughter of Kiwis legend Ruben. She makes her debut out on the wing while Shanice Parker shifts to fullback with Apii Nicholls rested for this game. Brooke Talataina makes her debut off the bench as well.
PNG Orchids selections
Jenny Wesley makes her Test debut for the PNG Orchids alongside a reshuffled backline, with Shae Yvonne De La Cruz at fullback and Male Mark on the wing. Therese Aiton moves into the hooker position with Ua Rava starting at halfback.
Past results
Kiwi Ferns 38 - 0 PNG Orchids - 2017 Rugby League World Cup
In the only time these two sides have met, a red hot Kiwi Ferns outfit proved far too experienced for a young PNG Orchids side. Even though PNG managed to hold the Ferns to 8 - 0 at the half time siren, the Kiwi Ferns ran riot in the second half running in a further eight tries to blow out the final score.
Prediction
It's been a long time between drinks for these two teams and the international league landscape in the women's game has developed a lot since then.
Something the PNG Orchids have up their sleeve is that they currently remain undefeated in Port Moresby, it's perhaps the most feared place in the world to play a Rugby League test match. We only have to look back to the likes of the infamous Kiwi tours of the 1980s - including the test in 1986 where Graham Lowe's Kiwis famously lost against PNG 22 - 24.
This game will be a true test of the Kiwi Ferns' will and determination, one quite unlike anything they've faced in their playing careers before. If they can overcome the playing conditions and intensity that the local crowd will bring - stick to their game-plan and execute well - then the Kiwi Ferns should walk away victorious.
