Papua New Guinea’s top female rugby league talent is once again bound for Australia, ready to turn heads at the prestigious Harvey Norman NRL Rising Talent Invitational in Wagga Wagga.
For the second straight year, a high-octane squad of five elite players and two elite coaching staff members from PNG’s domestic pathways have locked in their spots for the premier showcase, which kicks off this week.
Fresh off departing Port Moresby, the trailblazing crew, featuring standout prospects from the Santos Cup and local competitions, is primed for a slate of intensive testing and high-stakes match-play right in front of NRLW coaches and professional scouts.
Paving the Way to the Pro Ranks
This massive exposure is a cornerstone of the PNGRFL’s ambitious “30 x 30” Women’s Rugby League Strategy, designed to bulldoze the barriers between domestic footy and the professional NRLW stage.
Adding to the historic nature of the trip, this marks PNG’s first-ever all-female contingent to attend the event, proving that the pathway is open for women in both playing and coaching ranks.
PNGRFL Chief Operating Officer, Tony Archer highlighted the massive impact of the milestone.
“Having our players and staff involved in the Rising Talent Invitational for a second year is a testament to the hard work being done on the ground in PNG,” Archer said.
“This is a unique opportunity for our players to be measured against the best rising talent in Australia and the Pacific. It is a wonderful chance to put themselves on the radar of NRLW clubs. It’s integral component in creating clear visible female pathways and real opportunities for our women to excel on the world stage.”
Beyond the talent on the field, the inclusion of dedicated coaching and conditioning staff ensures that elite, high-performance knowledge learned down under will travel straight back home to level up the domestic Santos Cup and future national squads.
Meet the Squad
The star-studded delegation heading to Wagga Wagga features some of the most electric names in the women’s game:
- Jecinta Garry (Mt Hagen Eagles) Dynamic back liner
- Skalyn Sil (Goroka Lahanis) 2025 Santos Cup Player of the Year & Fullback of the Year
- Naomi Kelly 2025 Best Winger and PNG Orchids debutant
- Cynthia Peters (East New Britain Gurias) 2025 Best Five-Eighth
- Ruth Gende PNG Orchids debutant via the PNGRFL Academy pathways
Coaching & High-Performance Staff:
- Regila Wilfred (Mt Hagen Eagles Head Coach) – Coach
- Debbie Kaore (Goroka Lahanis) – Strength and Conditioning Coach
Carrying the Hopes of a Nation
Speaking on behalf of the playing group, reigning Player of the Year Skalyn Sil shared the team’s excitement and gratitude.
“Thank you to PNGRFL and the NRL and PacificAus Sports for this amazing opportunity. It is an honour to be selected from PNG. Experiences like this encourage us to keep working hard and show young women and girls that they can follow their dreams through rugby league. We are very grateful for the support and belief in us,” Sil said.
The PNGRFL has extended a shoutout to the NRL and PacificAus Sports for their continued backing of Pacific pathways, ensuring PNG’s female athletes have the platform they need to shine on the international stage.
