PNG Orchids Rugby League World Cup Squad 2026
Can the PNG Orchids go one better than their last World Cup? They reached the semi-finals in 2022, and they’ve started this one with a bang.
In front of a home crowd in Port Moresby, the Orchids thrashed France 58-4 in their opening game.
The PNG Orchids have named a 23-player squad for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026, captained by Elsie Albert and coached by Craig Sandercock.
Naomi Kelly scored four tries against France, and the Orchids play Fiji in Port Moresby next, on Saturday 24 October.
Below, you’ll find the full 23-player squad, the Round 1 result, the key players, every fixture and how to watch.
We’ll update this page after every game, so it always shows the latest team news, results and fixtures for the Orchids.
Quick Answer: PNG Orchids at the Women’s World Cup 2026
- Squad: 23 players, named on 7 October 2026
- Captain: Elsie Albert
- Coach: Craig Sandercock
- Round 1: PNG 58-4 France, Port Moresby
- Next match: Fiji v PNG, Saturday 24 October, Port Moresby
- Group: Group B with New Zealand, Fiji and France
PNG Orchids Squad for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026
Here is the full 23-player squad, as released on NRL.com.
| Players | Players | Players |
|---|---|---|
| Elsie Albert (captain) | Therese Aiton | Essay Banu |
| Anika Butler | Jenny David | Fleur Ginn |
| Belinda Gwasamun | Josephine Howard | Jasmine Joe |
| Naomi Kelly | Shellie Long | Mala Mark |
| Tia Molo | Mya Muller | Venesa Nakas |
| Cynthiah Peters | Ua Ravu | Jafinda Sap |
| Gemma Schnaubelt | India Seeto | Emily Veivers |
| Ivania Wong | Relna Wuruki-Hosea |
Elsie Albert leads the side as captain, with Naomi Kelly, Fleur Ginn and Tia Molo among the try-scoring threats.
The Orchids reached the semi-finals at the last World Cup, played in England in 2022, and qualified for 2026 automatically.
That experience showed in Round 1, when PNG scored 11 tries against France in front of their own fans in Port Moresby.
PNG Orchids vs France Result
The Orchids beat France 58-4 at Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday 17 October.
Naomi Kelly scored four tries, while Fleur Ginn and Tia Molo crossed twice each. Relna Wuruki-Hosea, Shellie Long and Ivania Wong also scored.
PNG were 32 points clear at half-time, and Manon Samarra scored France’s only try early in the second half.
It was a huge start in front of their home fans. Read the full NRL.com match report.
Key PNG Orchids Players to Watch
Naomi Kelly is the Orchids’ top try scorer so far, after her four tries against France.
Captain Elsie Albert was described by NRL.com as the Orchids’ inspirational skipper in the win over France.
Fleur Ginn and Tia Molo both scored twice in Round 1, giving PNG plenty of attacking options across the field.
Emily Veivers kicked goals against France, and her boot could matter in tighter games against Fiji and New Zealand.
PNG Orchids Fixtures at the Women’s World Cup
| Date | Match | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 17 Oct | PNG v France | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby | PNG won 58-4 |
| Sat 24 Oct | Fiji v PNG | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby | To be played |
| Sat 31 Oct | New Zealand v PNG | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | To be played |
Both of PNG’s first two games are at home in Port Moresby, as double-headers with the Kumuls.
The Fiji game is a Pacific derby that could decide second place in Group B behind the Kiwi Ferns.
After that, the Orchids face New Zealand on the Gold Coast in their final group game.
The top two in Group B reach the semi-finals. See every women’s game in our Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 guide.
Who Is the PNG Orchids Coach?
Craig Sandercock is the PNG Orchids head coach. He was appointed in May 2026, ahead of the World Cup.
He also coaches the Wests Tigers in the NRLW, and he has worked at several NRL clubs, including the Bulldogs, Manly and Newcastle.
“I am genuinely excited by the opportunity to coach the PNG Orchids,” he said when he was appointed.
His first World Cup game in charge couldn’t have gone much better, with an 11-try win over France.
How to Watch the PNG Orchids at the World Cup
Every Orchids match is live on the Seven Network and 7plus in Australia, Sky Sport in New Zealand and Premier Sports in the UK.
In PNG, Digicel is the local broadcaster for the tournament.
Following the Orchids from overseas? A VPN like NordVPN keeps your home streaming account working and protects you on public Wi-Fi. (We may earn a commission.)
Tickets for the Port Moresby games are sold locally. For the Gold Coast game, tickets start from $19 AUD on Ticketmaster.
PNG Orchids World Cup Squad: FAQ
Here are quick answers to the questions fans ask most about the PNG Orchids.
Each answer starts with the key fact, so you can find it fast.
For full details, see the sections above.
Who is in the PNG Orchids squad for the 2026 World Cup?
PNG named 23 players, captained by Elsie Albert.
The squad includes Naomi Kelly, Fleur Ginn and Tia Molo.
Craig Sandercock is the coach.
Who is the PNG Orchids coach?
Craig Sandercock coaches the PNG Orchids.
He was appointed in May 2026.
He also coaches the Wests Tigers NRLW team.
What was the PNG Orchids vs France score?
PNG beat France 58-4 in Port Moresby on 17 October 2026.
Naomi Kelly scored four tries.
Manon Samarra scored for France.
When do the PNG Orchids play next?
PNG play Fiji on Saturday 24 October 2026.
The game is at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Their last group game is against New Zealand on 31 October.
Conclusion
The PNG Orchids have made a flying start to the Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026, beating France 58-4 at home.
Captain Elsie Albert, coach Craig Sandercock and four-try hero Naomi Kelly lead a squad with big ambitions.
Next up is a Pacific derby against the Fiji Bulikula in Port Moresby, before the Kiwi Ferns on the Gold Coast.
Size up their next opponents on our Fiji Bulikula World Cup squad page, and follow the men on our PNG Kumuls squad page.
