The annual JT Super 9s Rugby League tournament started on Friday, February 7th, 2025, at Port Moresby South Stadium in Kaugere, with 128 teams in both men's and women's divisions competing for the K50,000 prize money and trophy.
Kicking off the women’s division, the Gereka Sharks proved too strong in Pool B games by opening their campaign with a 32-27 victory against the Royals, forfeiting the Central Dabaris, and defeating the Vadavada United with a 22-10. They will now wait for the playoffs.
Under the leadership of PNG’s dual-code international Joan Lagona, who represented PNG both in rugby union and rugby league, the girls from Gereka had no mercy for their opponents. The team also had several rugby union 7s players, who used their fast game tactics, speed, and agility to outplay their opponents.
Despite being undefeated in their pool games, the Sharks will put extra effort in their next games that will lead up to the playoffs. Experienced players like Joan Lagona and Carol Francis know the feeling of playing final footy, so they will use their experience to guide the Sharks in attack and defense.
Sharks coach Geno Sauna said that she was impressed with the performance of her girls. However, she admitted that they needed to improve on cutting down the mistakes.
“The girls played really well. Most of the girls are new to rugby league. Despite the wins in our pool games, we will try our very best to improve on our weaknesses, ” Sauna said.
Aside from taking part in the JT 9s, Geno also shared her vision to develop and introduce rugby league into the Gereka community, which is also part of the Moresby South Electorate.
“We will also try our very best to develop our young girls from this team, and also introduce rugby league to the girls in the Gereka community,” she stated.
Moreover, Gereka is one of the communities in the Moresby South Electorate that is not participating in the Moresby South Rugby Football League (MSRFL) competition. Their next aim or goal after this tournament is to try their very best to register a team from the Gereka community into MSRFL.
Photo Supplied
Comments