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Co-host New Zealand’s squad includes 10 players who’ll be making their Women’s World Cup debut

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FILE – New Zealand’s Jitka Klimkova gestures during an international friendly soccer match against South Korea at Goyang stadium in Goyang, South Korea, on Nov. 30, 2021. Women’s World Cup co-host New Zealand has announced a squad including 10 players who will be playing at the global tournament for the first time. The team was unveiled Friday, June 30, 2023, after head coach Klimkova trimmed the squad from 33 to 23 following a seven-week training camp, the longest in the New Zealand team’s history.(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)

by STEVE McMORRAN AP Sports Writer

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Women’s World Cup co-host New Zealand has announced a squad including 10 players who will be playing at the global tournament for the first time.

The team was unveiled Friday after head coach Jitka Klimkova trimmed the squad from 33 to 23 following a seven-week training camp, the longest in the New Zealand team’s history.

“I believe we have selected a good balance of youth and experience across the squad, from the 10 players making their debuts to other members of the group who have appeared at multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups,” Klimkova said.

“With the extra motivation and excitement surrounding the event on home soil, we now need the country to get behind the team as we look to inspire our nation and deliver one of our best ever performances.”

The tournament is being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.

New Zealand’s Football Ferns face a massive task as they have never won a match at a World Cup or progressed beyond the group stage.

The formal roster announcement took place at Auckland’s Eden Park stadium, regarded as the home of New Zealand rugby, where the home team will play the opening match of the World Cup against Norway on July 20.

Among those present was Ian Foster, the coach of the All Blacks rugby team whose daughter Michaela was selected in the team.

The ceremony was attended by members of the first New Zealand women’s team, which was formed in 1975 and won the Asian Women’s Cup.

A member of the 1975 team, Barbara Cox, called the World Cup the “most momentous occassion in the history of football in New Zealand.”

Team captain Ali Riley missed the event because she currently is with her Angel City club in the United States. Ria Percival, who is the the team’s co-captain, will be playing in her fifth World Cup.

“It’s great to have all these former Ferns who have built this legacy here today and for us to acknowledge and recognize all of you,” Percival said.

“Without you we wouldn’t be here today.

“To the girls, I’m proud of you all. We’ve all worked hard, every one of us.”

She said the World Cup on home soil was “something huge that we all dream of.”

“We’re just proud, we’re ready to go and we want to inspire the next generation.”

The only major surprise in the squad was the omission of Glasgow City defender Meikayla Moore.

The 27-year-old Moore has played 63 times for the Football Ferns and started in all 22 of New Zealand’s matches in 2021 and 2022.

She was selected for the 2015 World Cup but didn’t play and missed out on the 2019 World Cup because of injury.

Moore is one of three players on standby in case of injuries before the World Cup begins.
Percival and Annalie Longo both have been included in the squad after overcoming long-term injuries.

FILE - Andi Sullivan of the U.S., right, competes for the ball against New Zealand's Gabi Rennie during their women's international soccer friendly game in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP, File)
FILE – Andi Sullivan of the U.S., right, competes for the ball against New Zealand’s Gabi Rennie during their women’s international soccer friendly game in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP, File)

Claudia Bunge, Liz Anton and Foster are among a group the 10 players picked for their first World Cup along with Malia Steinmetz, Jacqui Hand, Milly Clegg, Grace Jale, Anna Leat, Gabi Rennie, Indiah-Paige Riley.

Clegg is the youngest player in the team at 17.

One of the biggest cheers at the ceremony on Friday was for Rebekah Stott who, in March, 2021 was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma.

Stott has recorded her battle against the illness on Instagram and currently is in remission.

New Zealand will play in Group A at the World Cup with Norway, Switzerland and the Philippines.

New Zealand squad:
Goalkeepers: Victoria Esson, Anna Leat, Erin Nayler.
Defenders: Liz Anton, C.J.Bott, Katie Bowen, Claudia Bunge, Michaela Foster, Ali Riley, Rebekah Stott.
Midfielders: Olivia Chance, Daisy Cleverley, Betsy Hassett, Annalie Longo, Ria Percival, Malia Steinmetz.
Forwards: Milly Clegg, Jacqui Hand, Grace Jale, Gabi Rennie, Indiah-Paige Riley, Paige Satchell, Hannah Wilkinson.

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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International

Doubles player Miyu Kato of Japan disqualified for accidentally hitting a ball girl

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PHOTO FILE – Miyu Kato, of Japan, right, serves behind her partner Aldila Sutjiadi, of Indonesia, as they play against Beatriz Haddad Maia, of Brazil, and Laura Siegemund, of Germany, in a doubles semifinal match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Friday, March 17, 2023, in Indian Wells, Calif. French Open doubles player Miyu Kato and her partner Aldila Sutjiadi have been forced to forfeit a match when Kato accidentally hit a ball girl in the neck with a ball after a point during their match against Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo on Sunday, June 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

By HOWARD FENDRICH (AP Tennis Writer)

PARIS (AP) — French Open doubles player Miyu Kato and her partner were forced to forfeit a match when Kato accidentally hit a ball girl in the neck with a ball after a point on Sunday.

In the second set on Court 14 at Roland Garros, Kato took a swing with her racket and the ball flew toward the ball kid, who was not looking in the player’s direction while heading off the court.

At first, chair umpire Alexandre Juge only issued a warning to Kato. But after tournament referee Remy Azemar and Grand Slam supervisor Wayne McEwen went to Court 14 to look into what happened, Kato and her partner, Aldila Sutjiadi of Indonesia, were disqualified.

That made Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic and Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain the winners of the match.

“It’s just a bad situation for everyone,” Bouzkova said. “But it’s kind of something that, I guess, is taken by the rules, as it is, even though it’s very unfortunate for them. … At the end of the day, it was the referee’s decision.”

Bouzkova said she did not see the ball hit the ball girl, but “she was crying for like 15 minutes.”
She said one of the officials said the ball “has to do some kind of harm to the person affected” and that “at first, (Juge) didn’t see that.”

Bouzkova said she and Sorribes Tormo told Juge “to look into it more and ask our opponents what they think happened.”

During Coco Gauff’s 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-1 singles victory over Mirra Andreeva on Saturday, Andreev swatted a ball into the Court Suzanne Lenglen stands after dropping a point in the first set. Andreev was given a warning by the chair umpire for unsportsmanlike conduct but no further penalty.

“I heard about that. Didn’t see it,” Bouzkova said. “I guess it just depends on the circumstances and the given situation as it happens. … It is difficult, for sure.

In the quarterfinals, Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo will face Ellen Perez of Australia and Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States.

AP tennis: https: https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

All contents © copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved

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Sport

Afghanistan bowls first in 1st ODI against Sri Lanka

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Afghanistan_Sri Lanka_ODI Series_Cricket

HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka — Afghanistan won the toss in the series-opening one-day cricket international and decided to bowl first against Sri Lanka on Friday despite the absence of Rashid Khan.
The star legspinner was ruled out with a lower-back injury but is expected to be back in action for the last game of the three-match series.

Sri Lanka also had injury concerns, with legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out because of a foot problem.
As expected, Sri Lanka handed an ODI debut to fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana after his breakout performances in the Indian Premier League and also gave legspinner Dushan Hemantha his first ODI cap.
Sri Lanka is using the series against Afghanistan to prepare the World Cup qualifying tournament after failing to secure an automatic spot based on its ICC ranking.

Lineups:
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Farid Ahmad Malik.

More AP cricket: https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright_Associated Press

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Rugby League

Round 3: Muruks, Tigers and Mioks take Early Lead

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Its early days for the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, with the competition set for round four this weekend. After Round 3 of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, the Mendi Muruks, Lae Snax Tigers and the Enga Mioks, sit undefeated on the ladder, with the Muruks first, the Tigers second and the Mioks third, with the Port Moresby Vipers rounding off the top four.

Big wins by the top three teams over the weekend with the Muruks beating the Gurias in Lae 18-02. The Tigers at home in Lae beat the Hagen Eagles 32-02 and the Mioks handed the Sepik Pride
their first loss with a 32-06 win over the Pride in Wabag.

In Port Moresby the home side Port Moresby Vipers edged past the Hela Wigmen in a match that was frustrating and unsettling for fans that turned up, both teams with a mountain of errors
and penalties, with stoppages throughout the match, killing the momentum and creating suspense.

Despite the string of errors the Vipers managed to scrape through in the final two minutes to win the match 18-14.

The Wigmen were enjoying a slim two point lead with the scoreline at 14-12 in their favor, with two minutes remaining. The match seemed to be a sure win for the reigning premiers, but in the 78th minute a string of passes led to winger Benson Dabire on the right edge, Dabire passing back inside for Center Gilmore Paul to dive over for the match winner. A conversion by Vipers half back Nicky Hasu extended the lead to 18-14 for the win.

The Hela Wigmen, last years premiers are winless heading into the fourth round. The Wigmen have a draw and two losses in the first three opening rounds, a tough start for the 2022 Digicel Cup Premiers.

In other matches the Central Dabaris beat the Kimbe Cutters 16-10 in Port Moresby, while the Goroka Lahanis and the Gulf Isou drew 14 all in Goroka.

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Rugby League

Hunters Desperate for Win at Home

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It will be the SP PNG Hunters second home game of the season, at the Santos National Football Stadium this Saturday, 29th April when they host the Mackay Cutters in Round 7 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. Kickoff is at 3pm.

The Hunters will have plenty to play for when they run out to a home crowd this weekend, having fallen short to the Burleigh Bears in Round 6 last week. The Bears ran out to a big early lead having played with 90% of possession in the opening stages of the match. Starved of possession and field position, the Hunters had no chance to answer back as Burleigh dominated proceedings.

The Hunters had just three sets in the first quarter of the game, highlighting the lopsided nature of the contest. As the possession stat balanced out, the PNG side showed they can match it with anyone in the Hostplus Cup competition. They made the most of their rare opportunities in attack to score four well-worked tries against a highly experienced and confident Burleigh outfit.

The Hunters will be without suspended five-eighth Sakias Komati this week but will be confident of returning to the winners circle against the 14th placed Cutters. The last time these sides met was in Round 20 last year, when the Hunters produced one of the performances of the season. Down on the scoreboard with just minutes remaining, a length of the field try in the 77th minute clinched the result for the Hunters to ensure they finished the 2022 season on a high.

Current Hunters players Rodrick Tai, Judah Rimbu, Ila Alu and Brandon Nima were instrumental to that result and shape as key players for PNG again, this week.

The Cutters will travel to Port Moresby for Saturday’s match on the back of a 42-16 thumping at the hands of Norths Devils. Two sinbins to Cutters players Kyle Schneider and Sean Mullany made the task all too difficult for Mackay in that game as Norths ran in seven tries against a depleted defensive line.

Mackay have made a host of changes to their Round 6 losing side and will be desperate to get their season back on track with a win this weekend.

Player to Watch

Epel Kapinias might’ve finished on the wrong side of the scoreboard last week but he played out a career game himself to be one of the Hunters best in Round 6.

Starting in the middle at prop, Kapinias played 75 minutes straight for Head Coach Stanley Tepend and refused to take a backwards step in the face of a red-hot Burleigh Bears side.

With an engine that belies his hulking frame, Kapinias was a force on both sides of the ball as the Hunters chased a miracle comeback.

His strength through contact in yardage is evident with Kapinias registering half his total running metres from that game in post-contact. He busted five tackles and broke the line once on his way to his first try of the season and his fifth in his Hostplus Cup career. Kapinias also made 24 tackles with just one miss to show his worth in defence, too.

At just 24 years of age and approaching 50 games in the Queensland Cup, Kapinias’ best football is still ahead of him. The experience he is getting as a leader in the Hunters forward
pack will hold him in good stead as he finds his feet in the Hostplus Cup competition.

Coach’s Comments

Head Coach Stanley Tepend was understandably disappointed with last week’s performance and is looking forward to a response on Saturday.

“It’s obviously been a disappointing last few weeks,” said Tepend.

“Full credit to Burleigh who played a great game, but we just lacked energy and intent right from the kick off. We just weren’t there last week but the boys are learning quickly that in this competition you have to be ready to turn up every week.”

Tepend said his side has focussed on being accountable for individual performances this week.

“We’ve had a look at our individual preparation – what we do throughout the week, on gameday, how we’re preparing ourselves for the game. We need to be accountable for our own actions and make sure we’re all on the same page.”

“We’ve focussed on staying in our systems and being more resilient when things don’t go our way. We know we’ve got points in us but we just need to not panic and trust our defensive systems.”

Team List

  1. Morea Morea
  2. Siki Konden
  3. Brandon Nima
  4. Rodrick Tai
  5. Solo Wane
  6. Joshua MIre
  7. Jamie Mavoko
  8. Junior Rop
  9. Wesser Tenza
  10. Epel Kapinias
  11. Sherwin Tanabi
  12. Julius Yakoba
  13. Ila Alu (captain)
  14. Judah Rimbu
  15. Tom Moide
  16. Henry Noki
  17. Koso Bandi
  18. Benji Kot
  19. Sanny Wabo
  20. Trevor Solu
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Sport

QRL Round 6 Preview: SP PNG Hunters v Burleigh Bears

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The SP PNG Hunters are back in Australia this weekend when they take on the Burleigh
Bears at UAA Park, Gold Coast in Round 6 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. Kick off is at 3pm on
Saturday, 22nd of April.
It’s been a short week for the Hunters who returned to Port Moresby following their
disappointing loss to the Northern Pride last weekend. The travel to and from Papua New
Guinea means the Hunters observed a restricted training schedule this week, but no doubt
they will be eager to take the field on Saturday and respond to their Round 5 loss.
Despite the result, there were plenty of positives for the Hunters to take away from last
week’s match against the Pride. The PNG-based side showed that when they hold the ball
and control their discipline, they can pile on the points quickly.
They also produced some compelling defensive efforts on their own try line to repel an
expansive Pride attack. It often took multiple repeat sets for the Pride to crack PNG’s line,
and if the Hunters can limit their opponents attacking chances, they will be confident in
defending their line.


Player to Watch
PNG Hunters skipper Ila Alu stood tallest last week in a beaten side, playing out an inspired
53 minutes through the middle to be one of the Hunters best.
Alu took 13 carries for 110 metres (35 in post-contact) last week to be the only forward to
notch 100+ running metres against the Pride. His ability to hit a hole in the line and time his
runs smartly with hooker Wesser Tenza makes Alu a difficult task for defending middles. He
is strong through contact and has great late footwork that allows Alu to either break
through the tackle (four tackle busts last week) or find his front to win a quick play-the-ball
for his team. An Alu carry is often the trigger for Tenza to scoot from dummy-half on the
following tackle.
Alu’s point of difference though is the ballplaying option he provides PNG around the ruck.
He is a key member of the spine when the Hunters shift the ball through the backline, and
as he develops combinations with the players around him, Alu’s value will only increase.
Team List

  1. Morea Morea
  2. Brandon Nima
  3. Benji Kot
  4. Rodrick Tai
  5. Solo Wane
  6. Sakias Komati
  7. Jamie Mavoko
  8. Junior Rop
  9. Wesser Tenza
  10. Epel Kapinias
  11. Sherwin Tanabi
  12. Julius Yakoba
  13. Ila Alu (captain)
  14. Trevor Solu
  15. Tom Moide
  16. Koso Bandi
  17. Henry Noki
  18. Sanny Wabo
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Sport

Hunters lose to Tigers in first home game of 2023 season

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The SP PNG Hunters were handed their first loss of the 2023 Hotplus Cup season in front of their home crowd at the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday.

Hunters took an early lead 20 minutes into the match but were playing catchup towards the back-end of the game.

In a similar fashion to last weekend’s clash against the Souths Logan Magpies, the Hunters fell short in their try conversions.

Despite having scored seven tries on the day, they managed only four out of seven kick conversions.

Their opponents, the Brisbane Tigers, managed six tries and converted five out of six while an additional two penalty conversions helped them to a 38-36 victory against the Hunters.

It was a valiant effort at best.

Despite the high scoring match, Hunters started with 12 men in the opening 12 minutes after a sin bin to Sherwin Tanabi; and towards the end of the first half, Sakias Komati was given 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Both men penalized for a professional foul.

The Hunters scored first in the 5th minute through Solo Wane, but a missed conversion by Sakias Komati held the hunters at 4-0.

The Brisbane Tigers replied through a four pointer from Brayden Torpy, a successful kick conversion got the tigers in front 6-4.

The Hunters snatched back the lead in the 18th minute through fullback Morea Morea his conversion from the kick stretched their lead to 10-6.

Two more tries to Brandon Nima and Julius Yakopa and a failed conversion by Morea Morea left the scores at 18-6 in favor of the Hunters.

Tigers Max Lehmann scored in the 34th minute, a successful conversion bought the score to 18-12 Tigers,.

Tristan Hope’s converted try in the 37th minute tied the score at 18-18 before a Tigers penalty conversion took the lead from the Hunters 20-18 in to the half time break.

Both teams took charge in the second half exchanging tries at each end of the field. George Jennings opened the scoring in the second half for the Tigers with an unconverted try for a 24-18 lead.

Morea Morea scored his second try in the 51st minute this time a successful conversion by Morea leveling the scores at 24 all.

Max Lehmann scored his second converted try and the Tigers again took the lead 30-24 in the 64th minute.

A converted try by Captain Ila Alu in the 68th minute once again levelled the scores 30-30.

Max Lehmann with his hat trick converted try in the 71st minute snatched back the lead for the Tigers 36-30, a penalty conversation by Tristan Hope in the 76th minute extended the teams lead to 38-30.

With just over a minute to go before full time Morea Morea unleashed another individual brilliant effort, breaking through unscathed for the hunters final try; his hat trick met with a standing ovation but despite his kick conversion the team fell short by two points ending the match 38-36.

The Hunters going down 38-36 to the Brisbane Tigers.

In his post match interview, Hunters Coach Stanley Tepend, described the match as high scoring however, admitting that the hunters had a problem one the defense and conversions.

“It was a high scoring match but the Hunters managed to play right through to the end, but we still have a lot of work to do we still need to tighten up in defense and discipline as well.

“We played with 12 men in the first half and towards the second half; we have a bye next week and we can regroup, but I will bring the loss down to discipline, we are playing well, we were looking sharp but we need to tidy up our discipline,” Tepend said.

Depite an early awareness by supporters on the shorfalls in goal kicking, Tepend says his goal kickers need more practice.

“Goal kicking and errors, we need to spend more time on it in training, we have been scoring tries enough for a win but we need to work on our discipline,” Tepend said.

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Rugby League

Motherhood and Rugby League

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After finding out she was going to be a mother last year, Sera Koroi’s hopes of playing for PNG in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup were gone.

However, when the tournament was postponed to 2022, it turned out to be a blessing for the New Irelander as she was selected for the Orchids, and her baby is now a year old.  

“His first birthday was just a week ago. It was pretty hard (being away) but he won’t remember it when he gets older and that puts my mind at ease and it will be a big celebration when I go back,” Koroi said.

The 20-year-old, PNG-Fijian was a standout for the Orchids in their last two matches playing at Five-Eight.

A natural ball runner, whose tackle-busting runs are now highlighted in countless social media posts shared especially by PNG women.

When asked about her thoughts on Women’s Rugby League in PNG, she said it is reflected in the success of the Orchids.

 From losing all their matches in the 2017 World Cup to now being a win away from securing a spot in the 2021 World Cup Grand Final.

She also spoke of how the Orchids’ success can inspire the younger generation in PNG, especially young women who are chasing their dreams of having a professional career as well as starting a family.

“We have so many mums here, daughters, sisters, and wives – and it inspires (us) the younger generation to chase our dreams,” she said.

Meanwhile, PNG will line up against host nation England in their final pool match this Thursday.

The Orchids are outside favorites but Coach Ben Jeffries believes they can be a force if they stick to their brand of footy.

“We are putting our best team forward to face England. We are here to compete,” Jeffries said.

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Sport

SP Brewery Snags Plate in Corporate Bowling

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South Pacific Brewery had an impressive finish during the recently held Corporate Bowls challenge by claiming the Plate shield.

SP Brewery beat an experienced Lae Medical Services side, 18 points to 6 to claim the title.

The team attributed the victory to the spirit of “brewing the joy of true togetherness”.

“We played as a team and our team spirit was always on point therefore, we won despite being a newcomer to the competition,” says SPB staff and player Nellie Sikat.

“Almost every one of us on the team did not know much about bowling, but we gradually learn in the process of playing.”

A total of 16 corporate companies participated in the seven week challenge.

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Rugby League

Orchids Name World-Cup Squad

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PNGRFL has officially announced the 23-Woman Squad of the Santos PNG Orchids for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

PNG-Based players and staff will depart for Brisbane tomorrow (Monday 10th) to join the Australian-based players before they travel to England on Wednesday (12th).

Coach Ben Jeffries said the recent Prime Minister’s XIII loss to Australia has provided valuable indicators the team must work on leading into the World Cup.

“The learnings we took out of PM’s XIII were that we need to focus on both attack and defence, and the defensive components will intensify once we get to the UK,” Jeffries said.

The Orchids will play a warm-up match against English Women’s Grand Finalists York City Knights on the 20th before their opening pool match against Canada on the 1st of November.

“Our pre-tournament camp in England will allow us to acclimatize, bond, play a trial game and work hard on the aspects we need to focus on to ensure we’re ready for the tournament,” Jeffries said.

The Orchids will line up against Canada on the 1st of November, Brazil on the 5th, and England on the 9th of November.  

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