Lachlan Lam Appointed Captain of PNG Kumuls Ahead of Cook Islands Match

 Ua Ravu, a development player for the Canberra Raiders NRLW and a member of the PNG Orchids, expressed her excitement for the upcoming Pacific Championships Cup challenge against the New Zealand Ferns this Sunday at the Santos National Football Stadium. The 27-year-old, returning to the Orchids this year, is stepping into a leadership role, helping to guide new teammates during training while sharing her extensive game experience, which she believes is boosting the team's confidence ahead of the match.

As the PNG Orchids prepare for this year’s Pacific Championships Cup, Ravu is thrilled to be back in camp with the national women's team. Although the team has not had the ideal start to their inaugural cup campaign, following a successful performance in last year’s bowl challenge, Ravu noted that the spirits among the players remain high, and they are confident about their chances against the Ferns on Sunday.

Following their recent loss to Australia, Coach Tahnee Norris has implemented focused training sessions with an emphasis on defensive strategies to prepare for the Kiwis, particularly addressing their strong forward pack and improving ruck speed and completion rates. Ravu remarked, "We’ve improved significantly from the last two games we played, especially in our defense."

Ravu acknowledged a few challenges within the camp, particularly the language barrier faced by some of the newer players who joined this week, especially those based in Australia. Despite this, she emphasized the positive atmosphere, stating that they have made efforts to translate during training and team meetings, which has eased communication, although it remains a slower process.

On the team dynamics and the atmosphere within the camp, Ravu highlighted the positive vibe among the players, with most of the squad being returning Orchids. She noted that the integration of the two new girls, Jenny and Frieda, who joined during the Prime Ministers' camp, has been smooth, as many of the players are familiar from previous competitions, including the World Cup.

When discussing the team’s adjustment to their new coach, Tahnee Norris, Ravu praised her extensive knowledge and experience in rugby league. “Tahnee has been great; she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, being the most capped player in Australia with 33 games,” Ravu said. "Having someone of her caliber in the camp is fantastic for us."

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Lachlan Lam Appointed Captain of PNG Kumuls Ahead of Cook Islands Match