With a host of returning World Cup stars plus former New Zealand representatives, the Cook Islands Moana prepare to meet with a Papua New Guinea side eager to take the field in front of their passionate home crowd.
Moana young gun Chantay Kiria-Ratu will return to the international stage a household name after leading a breakout season in the Gold Coast and is set to be reunited alongside Sharks star Kiana Takairangi and Raiders powerhouse prop Kerehitina Matua.
With five players named to make their Moana debut, the Cook Islands are set to unveil plenty of fresh faces and new talent as they look to make a statement on the international stage after missing last year's World Cup finals.
The Orchids meanwhile have welcomed an injection of NRLW experience, including five Cowboys debutants, while 2022 World Cup stars Elsie Albert and Ua Ravu will return to guide Ben Jeffries new-look side from the front at Santos National Football Stadium.
The Orchids will be hoping to avenge last month's heavy defeat to the Jillaroos in the Prime Minister’s XIII and celebrate a win in front of arguably the most passionate fans in the Pacific Championships.
Match: PNG Orchids v Cook Islands Moana
Week 2 -
home Team
PNG Orchids
2nd Position
away Team
Cook Islands Moana
3rd Position
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Team News
Orchids: Elsie Albert has been ruled out on game day with an ongoing calf injury. Albert has been replaced by Cowboys forward Jessikah Reeves at prop while Bertshiba Awoi shifts to lock and Leila Kerowa joins the bench. Versatile Raider Ua Ravu will play in the halves alongside the experienced Sera Koroi. After both playing in the centres against the Australia Prime Minister’s XIII last month, Shellie Long and Belinda Gwasamun have retained their spots, with Freda Waula moving to the wing to make way for Latoniya Norris at fullback.
Moana: A late change on game day sees Annemarie Kiria-Ratu ruled out after injuring her knee in the warm up with Kiana Takairangi shifting to fullback. Former Kiwi Fern Toru Arakua will co-captain the side from the front row and is joined in the 17 by fellow one-time New Zealand representatives Takairangi and Crystal Tamarua. Powerhouse Raiders NRLW player Kere Matu is named to start in the second row.
Match: PNG Orchids v Cook Islands Moana
Week 2 -
home Team
PNG Orchids
away Team
Cook Islands Moana
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for PNG Orchids is number 1 Latoniya NorrisFullback for Cook Islands Moana is number 1 Kiana Takairangi
-
Winger for PNG Orchids is number 2 Lyiannah AllanWinger for Cook Islands Moana is number 2 Alesha Willcox
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Centre for PNG Orchids is number 3 Belinda GwasamunCentre for Cook Islands Moana is number 3 Kaiyah Atai
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Centre for PNG Orchids is number 4 Shellie LongCentre for Cook Islands Moana is number 4 Chantelle Holloway-Samuels
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Winger for PNG Orchids is number 5 Freda WaulaWinger for Cook Islands Moana is number 5 Mahinaarangi Rewi
-
Five-Eighth for PNG Orchids is number 6 Sera KoroiFive-Eighth for Cook Islands Moana is number 6 Chantay Kiria-Ratu
-
Halfback for PNG Orchids is number 7 Ua RavuHalfback for Cook Islands Moana is number 7 Lydia Turua-Quedley
Forwards
-
Prop for PNG Orchids is number 10 Gloria KaupaProp for Cook Islands Moana is number 8 Ngatokotoru Arakua
-
Hooker for PNG Orchids is number 9 Roswita KapoHooker for Cook Islands Moana is number 9 Chelsea Makira
-
Prop for PNG Orchids is number 13 Jessikah ReevesProp for Cook Islands Moana is number 10 Crystal Tamarua
-
2nd Row for PNG Orchids is number 11 Emily Veivers2nd Row for Cook Islands Moana is number 11 Jazmon Tupou-Witchman
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2nd Row for PNG Orchids is number 12 Essay Banu2nd Row for Cook Islands Moana is number 14 Kerehitina Matua
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Lock for PNG Orchids is number 16 Bertshiba AwoiLock for Cook Islands Moana is number 13 Anneka Stephens
Interchange
-
Interchange for PNG Orchids is number 14 Meli JoeInterchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 12 Ariel Ngatoko
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Interchange for PNG Orchids is number 15 Sareka MookaInterchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 15 Paulina Morris-Ponga
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Interchange for PNG Orchids is number 17 Yolanda TauteInterchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 16 Lavinia Kitai
-
Interchange for PNG Orchids is number 19 Leila KerowaInterchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 17 Jodeci Joseph
Reserves
-
Replacement for PNG Orchids is number 18 Lancy UlkambaneReplacement for Cook Islands Moana is number 18 Kiana Sword-Tua
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Orchids skipper Elsie Albert made more post-contact metres than any other player in the 2022 World Cup with 341 metres in four games.
- The Cook Islands team ranked third in offloads with 28 in last year's World Cup campaign.
- Orchids centre Belinda Gwasamun scored four tries against Brazil in last year's World Cup.
