Papua New Guinea women's national rugby league team

For the men's team, see Papua New Guinea national rugby league team.

Papua New Guinea Orchids

Team information
Nickname	PNG Orchids
Governing body	Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League
Region	Asia-Pacific
Head coach	Tahnee Norris [1]
Captain	Elsie Albert
Most caps	Carol Humeu (9)
Top try-scorer	Belinda Gwasamun (5)
Top point-scorer	Belinda Gwasamun (20), Lila Malabag (20)
IRL ranking	5 (21 July 2025) [2]
Team results
First game
Papua New Guinea 4–42 Australia   Port Moresby, 23 Sep 2017
First international
Papua New Guinea 8–36 England   Woolooware, 16 Nov 2017
Biggest win
Papua New Guinea 70–0 Brazil   Hull, 5 Nov 2022
Biggest defeat
Papua New Guinea 0–84 Australia   Brisbane, 18 Oct 2024
World Cup
Appearances	2 (first time in 2017 )
Best result	2021 (Semi-Finalists)

The Papua New Guinea women's national rugby league team, also known as the PNG Orchids represents Papua New Guinea in Women's rugby league. They are administered by the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League. ^[3]

PNG Orchids and York Valkyrie (20 October 2022) - Elsie Albert and Lisa-Marie Alu each scored two tries as the Orchids won 38–0

Head to head records

Opponent	FM	MR	M	W	D	L	Win%	PF	PA	Share
England	2017	2022	4	1	0	3	25.00%	42	118	26.25%
Canada	2017	2022	2	1	0	1	50.00%	42	34	55.26%
New Zealand	2017	2024	2	0	0	2	0.00%	0	76	0.00%
Fiji	2019	2019	1	0	0	1	0.00%	0	28	0.00%
Brazil	2022	2022	1	1	0	0	100.00%	70	0	100.00%
Australia	2022	2024	2	0	0	2	0.00%	0	166	0.00%
Cook Islands	2023	2023	1	1	0	0	100.00%	28	20	58.33%
Samoa	2024	2024	1	0	0	1	0.00%	12	34	26.09%
Totals	2017	2024	14	4	0	10	28.57%	194	474	29.04%

Notes:

• Table last updated 10 November 2024.
• Share is the portion of "For" points compared to the sum of "For" and "Against" points.

Coaches

The current Orchids head coach is Tahnee Norris. ^{[1] [5]}

Name	Span	Tests					PM's XIII					Nines					Ref.
		M	W	D	L	W%	M	W	D	L	W%	M	W	D	L	W%
Dennis Miall	2017	3	0	0	0	0%	1	0	0	1	0%	N/A					[6]
David Westley	2018	N/A					1	0	0	1	0%	N/A					[7]
Nigel Hukula	2019	1	0	0	1	0%	N/A					N/A					[8]
Bagel Solien	2019	2	1	0	1	50%	N/A					7	2	0	5	29%	[9] [10]
Ben Jeffries	2022-23	5	3	0	2	60%	2	0	0	2	0%	N/A					[11] [12]
Tahnee Norris	2024	3	0	0	3	0%	1	0	0	1	0%	N/A					[1]

Note

• Last updated 11 November 2024

Notable players

Main article: List of Papua New Guinea women's national rugby league team players

The following Papua New Guinea representatives have played in the NRL Women's Premiership

• Elsie Albert (Parramatta Eels 2020—present, 16 matches, 3 tries as at 17 August 2023)
• Therese Aiton (Parramatta Eels 2021 season, 2 matches)
• Amelia Kuk (Brisbane Broncos 2018, 2 matches)
• Ua Ravu (Canberra Raiders 2023—present)
• Shellie Long (North Queensland Cowboys 2023—present)
• Sera Koroi (North Queensland Cowboys 2023—present)
• Jessikah Reeves (North Queensland Cowboys 2023—present)
• Essay Banu (North Queensland Cowboys 2023—present)

Current squad

Head coach: Tahnee Norris

The PNG Orchids squad was announced with the selection of the team for Round 1 on 14 October 2025. ^[13] This followed the Prime Minister's XII match on 12 October 2025. ^[14]

Jersey numbers in the table reflect selections for the Round 1 match versus Cook Islands Moana

Table last updated 15 October 2025.

J#	Player	Age	Position(s)	Orchids						Club	NRLW						Other Reps
				Dbt	M	T	G	F	Pts		CM	TM	T	G	F	Pts
1	Fleur Ginn	19	Centre , Five-eighth	—	0	0	0	0	0	Eels	11	11	3	0	0	12	1
2	Mala Mark	28	Wing , Fullback	2017	3	0	0	0	0	Central Dabaris	0	0	0	0	0	0	4
3	Tia Molo	—	Centre	—	0	0	0	0	0	Dolphins	0	0	0	0	0	0	—
4	Marie Biyama	27	Centre	—	0	0	0	0	0	Clydesdales	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
5	Naomi Kelly	25	Wing	—	0	0	0	0	0	Central Dabaris	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
6	India Seeto	19	Five-eighth	—	0	0	0	0	0	Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
7	Caitlin Tanner	19	Halfback	—	0	0	0	0	0	Cowboys	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
8	Elsie Albert	29	Prop	2019	10	3	0	0	12	Eels	20	35	8	0	0	32	3 2
9	Therese Aiton	36	Hooker	2019	6	1	0	0	4	Clydesdales	0	2	0	0	0	0	2 1 3
10	Emmogen Taumafai	22	Prop	—	0	0	0	0	0	Falcons	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
11	Sareka Mooka	25	Second-row , Lock	2023	4	0	0	0	0	Cowboys	12	12	1	0	0	4	1 1 2
12	Leila Kerowa	—	Centre , Second-row	2023	4	1	0	0	4	Central Dabaris	0	0	0	0	0	0	3
13	Jessikah Reeves	24	Lock , Second-row	2022	8	1	0	0	4	Tigers	3	8	0	0	0	0	1 4
14	Emily Veivers	24	Hooker , Second-row	2022	7	0	6	0	12	Wigan Warriors	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 4
15	Essay Banu	23	Prop , Second-row	2022	8	2	0	0	8	Cowboys	20	20	0	0	0	0	1 2 4
16	Gloria Kaupa	25	Lock , Prop	2017	12	0	0	0	0	Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 4
17	Mya Muller	—	Lock	—	0	0	0	0	0	Panthers	0	0	0	0	0	0	—
18	Delailah Ahose	32	Halfback , Hooker	2017	5	0	0	0	0	Goroka Lahanis	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 2
19	Belinda Gwasamun	28	Centre	2022	8	5	0	0	20	Mt Hagen Eagles	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 3
20	Ruth Gende	20	Centre	—	0	0	0	0	0	Port Moresby Vipers	0	0	0	0	0	0	1

Notes:

• The Other Reps columns include matches:
  • against the Australian Prime Minister's XIII
  • against Far North Queensland, Brisbane Broncos, and York Valkyrie.
  • for the Australian Prime Minister's XIII: Sareka Mooka.
  • for Queensland: Therese Aiton.
  • for the Indigenous All Stars: Essay Banu and Sareka Mooka.

Results

Full internationals

Date	Opponent	Score	Tournament	Venue	Video	Reports
16 Nov 2017	England	8–36	2017 WRLWC	Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney	[15]	[16]
19 Nov 2017	Canada	8–22			[17]	[18] [19]
22 Nov 2017	New Zealand	0–38			[20]	[21]
22 Jun 2019	Fiji	0–28	Test Match	Leichhardt Oval, Sydney	[22]	[23] [24]
9 Nov 2019	England	10–24	2 Test Series	Goroka	[25]	[26] [27]
16 Nov 2019	England	20–16		National Football Stadium, Port Moresby	[28]	[29] [30]
1 Nov 2022	Canada	34–12	2021 WRLWC	Headingley Stadium, Leeds	[31]	[32] [33]
5 Nov 2022	Brazil	70–0		MKM Stadium, Hull	[34]	[35] [36]
9 Nov 2022	England	4–42		Headingley Stadium, Leeds	[37]	[38] [39]
14 Nov 2022	Australia	0–82		York Community Stadium, York	[40]	[41] [42]
22 Oct 2023	Cook Islands	28–20	Test Match	Santos Stadium, Port Moresby	[43]	[44]
18 Oct 2024	Australia	0–84	2024 Pacific Championship	Suncorp Studium, Brisbane	[45]	[46]
3 Nov 2024	New Zealand	0–36		Santos Stadium, Port Moresby	[47]	[48]
10 Nov 2024	Samoa	12–34		Western Sydney Stadium, Sydney		[49]

Upcoming fixtures

• The 2025 Rugby League Pacific Championships in October-November. ^{[50] [51]}
  •   Cook Islands at PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby on Saturday, 18 October 2025.
  •   Tonga at PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby on Saturday, 1 November 2025.
  • Both matches precede a men's Pacific Bowl match.

Other international matches

Date	Opponent	Score	Tournament	Venue	Video	Reports
23 Sep 2017	Australia	4–42	Curtain-raiser to men's PM's XIII	National Football Stadium, Port Moresby	—	[52] [53] [54]
6 Oct 2018	Australia	4–40	Women's PM's XII match	National Football Stadium, Port Moresby	[55]	[56]
25 Sep 2022	Australia	6–64	Women's PM's XII match	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane	[57]	[58] [59]
23 Sep 2023	Australia	4–56	Women's PM's XII match	National Football Stadium, Port Moresby	[60]	[61] [62]
13 Oct 2024	Australia	0–50	Women's PM's XII match	National Football Stadium, Port Moresby		[63]
12 Oct 2025	Australia	0–50	Women's PM's XII match	National Football Stadium, Port Moresby		[64]

Note: In all three of the above matches Papua New Guinea and Australia each fielded 20 players (13 on the field and 7 on the interchange bench).

Tour / trial / warm-up matches

Date	Opponent	Score	Tournament	Venue	Video	Report
20 Oct 2017	Far North Queensland	30–6	Warm-Up Match	Billy Slater Oval, Callendar Park, Innisfail	[65]	—
2 Sep 2018	Brisbane Broncos	14–48	Trial Match	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane	[66]	[67]
31 Aug 2019	Brisbane Broncos	0–14	Trial Match	National Football Stadium, Port Moresby	[68]	[69]
20 Oct 2022	York Valkyrie	38–0	Warm-Up Match	York St John University Sports Park, York	—	[4]
15 Jun 2025	Australian Defence Force	48–6	Tour Match	National Football Stadium, Port Moresby	[70]	[71]
22 Jun 2025	Brisbane Broncos	0–48	Trial Match	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane	—	[72]

Nines

Date	Opponent	Score	Tournament	Venue	Video	Reports
8 Jul 2019	Fiji	8–16	2019 Pacific Games	Apia Park	—	[73]
8 Jul 2019	Niue	10–4			—	—
9 Jul 2019	Cook Islands	14–8			[74]	—
9 Jul 2019	Fiji	14–16			[75]	[76]
18 Oct 2019	England	4–25	2019 International Nines	Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta	—	[77]
19 Oct 2019	New Zealand	12–24			—	[78]
19 Oct 2019	Australia	6–30			—	—

See also

• New Guinea portal
• Sports portal

• Papua New Guinea national rugby league team
• Rugby league in Papua New Guinea
• Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League

References

1. "Norris to break new ground as Orchids coach". NRL. 2 Sep 2024. Retrieved 2 Sep 2024.
2. "IRL World Rankings: Women". International Rugby League. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
3. Liri, Isaac (2017-08-16). "Orchids unveiled". The National. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
4. "Boss hails 'international-like' experience for York Valkyrie". York Press . 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
5. Walter, Brad (5 Jun 2025). "Norris re-appointed as PNG Orchids coach for World Cup". NRL. Retrieved 5 Jun 2025.
6. Nangoi, Donald; Sukina, Fidelis (16 Aug 2017). "Miall is adamant that the PNG Orchids will rise". PNG Post-Courier. Retrieved 2 Sep 2024.
7. Teme, Kevin (4 Oct 2018). "Westley takes charge of PNG Orchids". PNG Post-Courier. Retrieved 2 Sep 2024.
8. "Sport: Nigel Hukula appointed PNG women's rugby league coach". Radio New Zealand. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 2 Sep 2024.
9. "PNG name teams for upcoming Nines tournament". QRL. PNG Kumuls Media. 2 Oct 2019. Retrieved 2 Sep 2024.
10. Teme, Kevin (19 Nov 2019). "Orchids coach keen to retain his post". PNG Post-Courier. Retrieved 2 Sep 2024.
11. Nangoi, Donald (10 Feb 2019). "Jeffries appointed as Orchids coach". PNG Post-Courier. Retrieved 2 Sep 2024.
12. "Jeffries named PNG Orchids coach for World Cup". Cowboys.com.au. 21 Feb 2022. Retrieved 21 Sep 2022.
15. "England vs Papua New Guinea - Full Highlights - Womens RLWC 2017". YouTube. Channel 7 Sport. 16 Nov 2017. Retrieved 1 Apr 2021.
16. "England 36 v 8 Papua New Guinea - Match Report". European Rugby League. 16 Nov 2017. Retrieved 31 Mar 2021.
17. "PNG Vs Canada - Women's RLWC 2017 Highlights". YouTube. Channel 7 Sport. 20 Nov 2017. Retrieved 1 Apr 2021.
18. "Women's Rugby League World Cup 2017 - Round 2 Results". League Unlimited. 19 Nov 2017. Retrieved 24 Mar 2021.
19. "Papua New Guinea 8 v 22 Canada - Match report". European Rugby League. 19 Nov 2017. Retrieved 2 Aug 2022.
20. "Womens RLWC 2017: PNG Orchids vs Kiwi Ferns". YouTube. Rugby League World Cup. 22 Nov 2017. Retrieved 30 Sep 2020.
21. "Women's Rugby League World Cup 2017 - Round 3 Results". League Unlimited. 22 Nov 2017. Retrieved 8 Oct 2020.
22. "Fiji V PNG 1/4". YouTube. Peter Jolly. 23 Jun 2019. Retrieved 5 Apr 2021.
23. Newton, Alicia (22 Jun 2019). "Fiji women enter international football in style". NRL. Retrieved 5 Apr 2021.
24. "Womenʼs Internationals - Fiji 28 v 0 Papua New Guinea". NRL. 22 Jun 2019. Retrieved 2 Aug 2022.
25. "Highlights - England Women 24-10 PNG Orchids - Goroka". YouTube. Rugby League. 10 Nov 2019. Retrieved 21 Oct 2020.
26. "Report: PNG Orchids 10-24 England Women". Rugby-Leagoe.com. 9 Nov 2019. Retrieved 21 Oct 2020.
27. "Womenʼs Internationals - Papua New Guinea 10 v 24 England". NRL. 9 Nov 2019. Retrieved 1 Aug 2022.
28. "PNG ORCHIDS MAKE HISTORY - (PNG 20 ENGLAND 16)". YouTube. 15 Nov 2019. Retrieved 21 Oct 2020.
29. "Orchids upset England with last-minute try". NRL. 16 Nov 2019. Retrieved 21 Oct 2020.
30. "Womenʼs Internationals - Papua New Guinea 20 v 16 England". NRL. 16 Nov 2019. Retrieved 1 Aug 2022.
31. "Papua New Guinea take on Canada in Round 1 - RLWC2021 Cazoo Women's Match Highlights". YouTube. Rugby League World Cup 2021. 1 Nov 2022. Retrieved 2 Nov 2022.
32. "Papua New Guinea Orchids 34–12 Canada Ravens". RLWC2021. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
33. Rosser, Corey (1 Nov 2022). "Molowia stars for PNG in opening win". NRL. Retrieved 2 Nov 2022.
34. "Papua New Guinea v Brazil - Match Highlights - 2021 Rugby League World Cup". YouTube. NRLW - National Rugby League Women's. 6 Nov 2022. Retrieved 6 Nov 2022.
35. "Women's Rugby League World Cup - Papua New Guinea 70 v 0 Brazil". NRL. 5 Nov 2022. Retrieved 6 Nov 2022.
36. "Women's Rugby League World Cup : Round 2 - Papua New Guinea Orchids 70 v 0 Brazil Women". NRL. 5 Nov 2022. Retrieved 6 Nov 2022.
37. "England take on Papua New Guinea in the final game of Group A - RLWC2021 Cazoo Match Highlights". YouTube. Rugby League World Cup 2021. 9 Nov 2022. Retrieved 10 Nov 2022.
38. "Women's Rugby League World Cup - England 42 v 4 Papua New Guinea". NRL. 9 Nov 2022. Retrieved 10 Nov 2022.
39. "Women's Rugby League World Cup : Round 3 - England Women 42 v 04 Papua New Guinea Orchids". Rugby League World Cup 2021. 9 Nov 2022. Retrieved 10 Nov 2022.
40. "Australia and Papua New Guinea play in the women's RLWC2021 semi finals - Cazoo Match Highlights". YouTube. Rugby League World Cup 2021. 14 Nov 2022. Retrieved 15 Nov 2022.
41. "Women's Rugby League World Cup - Australia 82 v 0 Papua New Guinea". NRL. 14 Nov 2022. Retrieved 15 Nov 2022.
42. "Women's Rugby League World Cup : Semi Finals - Australian Jillaroos 82 v 0 Papua New Guinea Orchids". Rugby League World Cup 2021. 14 Nov 2022. Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 Nov 2022.
43. "Women's Pacific Championships Highlights: PNG v Cook Islands - NRL on Nine". YouTube. NRL on Nine. 22 Oct 2023. Retrieved 22 Oct 2023.
44. Lucantonio, AJ (22 Oct 2023). "Orchids shine bright despite late Moana comeback". League Unlimited. Retrieved 22 Oct 2023.
45. "Pacific Championships 2024 - Jillaroos v Orchids - Match Highlights". YouTube. NRLW - National Rugby League Women's. 18 Oct 2024. Retrieved 18 Oct 2024.
46. Lenehan, Martin (18 Oct 2024). "A rare Julia: History for Robinson as Jillaroos run riot". NRL. Retrieved 18 Oct 2024.
47. "Pacific Championships 2024 - Orchids v Kiwi Ferns - Match Highlights". NRL. 3 Nov 2024. Retrieved 3 Nov 2024.
48. Mee, Cameron (3 Nov 2024). "Kiwi Ferns through to Pac Champs final after win over PNG". NRL. Retrieved 3 Nov 2024.
49. Lenehan, Martin (10 November 2024). "Fetu Samoa turn on the power to earn Pacific Cup promotion". NRL.com. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
50. "Pacific Championships draw announced". International Rugby League. 6 Aug 2025. Retrieved 6 Aug 2025.
51. Walter, Brad (6 Aug 2025). "Home is where the heart is: Orchids building towards World Cup". NRL. Retrieved 6 Aug 2025.
52. "Womenʼs Internationals - Papua New Guinea 4 v 42 Australian Jillaroos". NRL. 23 Sep 2017. Retrieved 20 Jul 2022.
53. "Jillaroos win in PNG". Cronulla Sharks. AAP. 25 Sep 2017. Retrieved 9 Oct 2020.
54. "Jillaroos overpower PNG Orchids in Port Moresby". asiapacificrl.com. 23 September 2017. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022.
55. "Match Highlights: Women's Prime Minister's XIII - Orchids v Jillaroos; 2018". NRL. 6 Oct 2018. Retrieved 10 Oct 2010.
56. "Womenʼs Internationals - Papua New Guinea 4 v 40 AUS PM XIII". NRL. 6 Oct 2018. Retrieved 20 Jul 2022.
57. "Australian PM's XIII v PNG PM's XIII - Women's International Match Replay - 2022". NRL. NRLW - National Rugby League Women's. 26 Sep 2022. Retrieved 26 Sep 2022.
58. Rosser, Corey (25 Sep 2022). "Jillaroos hopefuls star in Australian PM's XIII Women's big win". NRL. Retrieved 26 Sep 2022.
59. "Womenʼs Internationals - AUS PM XIII 64 v 6 Papua New Guinea". NRL. 25 Sep 2022. Retrieved 26 Sep 2022.
60. "NRLW 2023 - PNG PM's XIII v AUS PM's XIII - Match Highlights". YouTube. NRLW - National Rugby League Women's. 23 Sep 2023. Retrieved 23 Sep 2023.
61. "Womenʼs Internationals - PNG PM XIII 4 v 56 AUS PM XIII". NRL. 23 Sep 2023. Retrieved 23 Sep 2023.
62. Rosser, Corey (23 Sep 2023). "Whitfeld bags four in big win for Aus PM's XIII". NRL. Retrieved 23 Sep 2023.
63. "Women's Internationals - PNG PM XIII 0 v 50 AUS PM XIII". NRL. 13 Oct 2024. Retrieved 13 Oct 2024.
64. "Womenʼs Internationals - PNG PM XIII v AUS PM XIII". NRL. 12 Oct 2025. Retrieved 12 Oct 2025.
65. "PNG Orchids v FNQ Women's Rugby League @ Innisfail 20.10.17". YouTube. 2 Nov 2017. Retrieved 1 Apr 2021.
66. "Broncos beat Orchids 48 points to 14". YouTube. 3 Sep 2018. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
67. "Kuk scores two tries in Broncos' win over Orchids". The National. 3 Sep 2018. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
68. "Trial Match Highlights: NRLW Broncos v PNG Orchids". Brisbane Broncos. 5 Sep 2019. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
69. Levongo, Levington Melvin (2 Sep 2019). "Broncos overcome spirited PNG Orchids". QRL. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
70. "PNG RFL Women vs Australia Defence Force Rugby League". YouTube. TVWAN Online. 15 Jun 2025. Retrieved 16 Jun 2025.
71. "Blossoming Orchids 48 v 6 ADF Women". Play Rugby League. 15 Jun 2025. Retrieved 16 Jun 2025.
72. "Robinson: It's Good To Finally Get A hit Out". Brisbane Broncos. 22 Jun 2025. Retrieved 25 Jun 2025.
73. "Results from Day 1 of 2019 Pacific Games". Asia Pacific Rugby League. 8 Jul 2019. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
74. "Rugby League 9s, Pacific Games 2019". YouTube. 17 Jul 2019. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
75. "Fiji vs PNG Womens & Mens Rugby League 9's Finals 2019". YouTube. NZ RugbyLeagueVids. 21 Jul 2019. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
76. Pavitt, Michael (9 Jul 2019). "Fiji celebrate double rugby league nines gold as history made at Samoa 2019". Inside the Games. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
77. "World Cup 9s Day 1: Kangaroos and Lions fire, Cook Islands spring upset". NRL. 18 Oct 2019. Retrieved 1 Apr 2021.
78. "Kangaroos take title as Generation Next arrives in style". NRL. 19 Oct 2019. Retrieved 1 Apr 2021.

External links

• Papua New Guinea women's national rugby league team on Facebook