Schoolgirls kick off PM's XIII showcase in Port Moresby

Welcome to a very special Sunday of rugby league action as the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby plays host to four spectacular contests sure to be full of pride and commitment.

The festival of footy kicks off with the Junior Orchids and Junior Kumuls taking on the best of Australia's young talent in the Schoolgirls and Schoolboys sides.

Then it's time for the PM's XIII women's and men's matches which feature a host NRL and NRLW stars ready to put on a show for the passionate local fans.

With a side from PNG entering the NRL in 2028, excitement is at fever pitch in the region and the annual PM's XIII clashes are the perfect showcase of rising stars and established cult heroes.

Follow all the action from Port Moresby on NRL.com's live blog.

Junior Orchids v Australian Schoolgirls

50th minute: The Junior Orchids are throwing plenty at their opponents as they look to mount a comeback but the Australian Schoolgirls defence has been exceptional. The hosts have come close to the line on a number of occasions but haven't managed to break through for a try. With 10 minutes to go, time is starting to work against them. Junior Orchids 6 - Australian Schoolgirls 16.

45th minute: The Junior Orchids have aimed up in defence throughout the last few minutes but the Australian kicking game has been superb. This time a kick has generated a result, with halfback Torah Luadaka producing a superb bomb for winger Logan Fletcher, who ran on to the ball, caught it, beat a tackle and scored in the corner. The try came against the run of play and gives the visitors some breathing room with 15 minutes to play. Junior Orchids 6 - Australian Schoolgirls 16.

Logan Fletcher

37th minute: The Junior Orchids have started exactly as their coaches had hoped, with fullback Janique Mili capitalising on a quick play the ball to dart from dummy half, surge past retreating defenders and score under the posts. The gap is now six as the hosts looking to finish over the top of their opponents. Junior Orchids 6 - Australian Schoolgirls 12.

Kick-off: We are back for the second half at Santos National Stadium, with the Junior Orchids kicking off. The Australian Schoolgirls scored two tries in the first half but it was their defence that was most impressive in the opening 30 minutes. The Junior Orchids will need to find a way to break down the defensive wall if they are to pull off a second-half comeback. Junior Orchids 0 - Australian Schoolgirls 12.

Half-time: The Australian Schoolgirls defence has been superb throughout the opening half and they've just produced a big defensive stand to maintain a clean sheet heading into the break. The Junior Orchids had multiple attacking sets in succession but they were not able to break through for their first points of the game. We will have an extended half-time break due to the intense heat in Port Moresby this morning. Junior Orchids 0 - Australian Schoolgirls 12.

24th minute: The Australians looked set to turn defence into attack after the Junior Orchids turned the ball over on the first tackle. Gabriella Savage made a break down the right flank before being taken down by a superb tackle. The ball eventually made its way to the other side of the field and Halle Barrett looked destined to score before she was hit by a desperate tackle that forced the ball loose. Junior Orchids 0 - Australian Schoolgirls 12.

18th minute: The Junior Orchids continue to pose plenty of questions of the Australian defence but the visitors remain up to the task. The Australians have made an error working out of their own half and the hosts have a prime opportunity to strike back. Junior Orchids 0 - Australian Schoolgirls 12.

13th minute: The Australians have turned defence into attack, with a 40-30 handing the visitors a chance to extend their lead. Diamond Graham capitalised, the hooker darting from the base of the ruck, throwing a dummy and stepping her way through the defensive line. Junior Orchids 0 - Australian Schoolgirls 12.

10th minute: A pair of penalties has put the Junior Orchids on the attack and they threatened to break through for a try. The Australian defence was uo to the task and forced an error. The Orchids' quest for victory has also been dealt a blow, with halfback Joyce Herbert leaving the field with a leg injury. Junior Orchids 0 - Australian Schoolgirls 6.

3rd minute: It's been a superb start for the Australian side, with the visitors making a number of breaks from inside their own half. The Orchids scrambled well to prevent the long-range try but the pressure eventually proved too great and Anastasia Leatupue crashed over to open the scoring. Junior Orchids 0 - Australian Schoolgirls 6.

Kick-off: We are underway at Santos National Stadium in Port Moresby, with the Australian Schoolgirls kicking off the first of four games on a bumper day of rugby league. Junior Orchids 0 - Australian Schoolgirls 0.

Late Mail: The Australian Schoolgirls have made one late change prior to kick off this morning, with Stevie Botham coming into the side on the wing and Shar-lene Nati reverting to 18th player. The team features two players from the national champion Marsden State High School. Deleni Paitai will line up in the back row, while Evelyn Roberts will come off the bench in jumper No.14. Marsden defeated Central Coast Sports College in the Schoolgirls Cup final, who will be represented by fullback Mia Vaotu'ua.

Junior Kumuls v Australian Schoolboys

PNG v Australia PM’s XIII Women

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