The Papua New Guinea Orchids started their 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign on a high, with a convincing 58-4 win over France in Port Moresby on Saturday afternoon.
Playing their first-ever world cup game at home, at Santos National Football Stadium, in their first international against France, the Orchids ran in 12 tries in total – four to winger Naomi Kelly, who scored one in the first 35-minute spell before adding three in the second half.
In the process she also equalled the record for the most tries in a single match by any PNG Orchids player.
The previous record was held by Belinda Gwasamun, who scored four tries against Brazil during the 2022 Women’s Rugby League World Cup.
Tia Molo, Shelly Long and Fleur Ginn got a double each against France.
The Orchids led 32-0 at halftime, with six tries recorded in the first 35 minutes.
Relna Wuruki-Hosea of the Canberra Raiders notched the first try for the home side in the seventh minute, with a powerful run from a scrum outside the French 10-metre zone.
North Queensland Cowboys’ Emily Veivers converted the goal kick to give the Orchids an early 6-0 lead.
Hooker Ua Ravu at dummy half led their attacks, with Cynthiah Peters at seven directing play.
Captain Elsie Albert was a powerful runner up front.
France attacked from their line in a good set in the 12th minute and won a penalty on the PNG 30-metre line.
Dummy half Cristina Song directed their attacks as forwards Elodie Pacull, Perrine Monsarrat, Stacy Bessiere and Leila Bessahli started gaining valuable metres with their strong forward drives upfield.
That resulted in a close drive for the corner flag but it ended in a knock-on close to the PNG line.
Shellie Long ran through the French defence to score the Orchids’ second try, followed by Paramatta Eeels Fleur Ginn, who stepped her way through a gap, dummied and ran in to score between the posts after the PNG team attacked from the restart.
Tia Molo claimed the team’s fourth try in the 24th minute, before Naomi Kelly finished off wide out for the Orchids five minutes later, after Molo stepped inside two players to leave Kelly free out wide. Veivers kicked the goal and PNG were up 28-0.
Former Wallaroos rugby union player Ivania Wong then showed her speed out wide on the right and ran back in between the posts to score.
PNG Orchids led 32-0 after the first 35-minute spell.
Closed off
France went straight to attack from the restart and their persistence was rewarded when Manon Samarra went over after playmaker Lisa Diraison set up the attack.
The try was the only one the visitors managed in the game as PNG responded and closed off the game, with a dominating second half performance, running in six more tries.
Kelly kicked off their scoring in the second spell, after the Orchids varied their play with Ginn and Peters going through the defensive gaps to set her up.
Then it was Ginn who picked up a loose pass and ran through the French defensive line to score between the posts again for her second try.
Veivers’ goal kick gave them a 42-4 lead.
Replacement Essay Banu combined well with captain Albert as the two big forwards kept the momentum on through the middle of the field.
With 20 minutes to go Molo went over to score her second from a penalty, after Albert was stopped on the line. Molo picked up from the ruck and dived over for the 46-4 lead.
Then it was Kelly’s turn again for her third try with 18 minutes to go. She received the pass from Molo, who had chased Peters’ grubber towards the corner flag.
The Orchids then capped off their afternoon with Kelly’s fourth try before Long crashed over in the right corner for the team’s 12th try of the afternoon.
Captain Elsie Albert said the team had prepared well for the game and the tournament.
“It was a great win, in front of the home crowd,” she said.
“I thought we had a good preparation leading up to this game and I thought everyone went out there and did what we exactly needed to do.
“It’s great to be back home playing and to get a win in front of the home crowd.”
PNG Orchids coach Craig Sandercock said post-match it was a great game and a good start to their campaign.
“I was really pleased,” he said.
“They’ve trained so hard. Really pleased for them and having the crowd support – it was fantastic.”
PNG Kumuls Facebook
Kumuls also victorious
It was the first of a double-header in Port Moresby, with the PNG Kumuls paying Lebanon also on Saturday afternoon.
The PNG Kumuls made it a double win for the home teams, defeating Lebanon 42-18.
The side scored seven tries to Lebanon’s three, and open their campaign on a high, in front of their vocal local fans.
The Kumuls scored tries through Gairo Voro, Robert Derby, Nixon Putt, Finley Glare, Epel Kapinias, Ryse Martin and Bailey Biondi Odo.
Martin added the other points through his boots.
Lebanon got their three tries from Abbas Miski, who got two, and Tony Sukkar.
Alex Conti kicked the goals with six points to his name.
