Cook Islands Moana Defeats Papua New Guinea Orchids 34-6 in Opener

The Cook Islands Moana secured a decisive victory against the Papua New Guinea Orchids, winning 34-6 in their opening match of the Pacific Championships Bowl on October 19, 2023. The match took place at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby and marked a strong start for the Moana team in the tournament.

Veteran captain and fullback Kiana Takairangi led the Moana side, which displayed a commanding performance with seven tries compared to the Orchids’ one. Notably, winger Paulina Morris-Ponga shone brightly, scoring a hat-trick and contributing 12 points to her team’s total. Playmaker Chantay Kiria-Ratu also made a significant impact, scoring a try and converting multiple attempts, showcasing her skills in both kicking and ball handling.

The match began with an early score from the Orchids when Emily Veivers converted a try in the seventh minute, giving them a brief 6-0 lead. However, the Moana responded swiftly, leveling the game at 6-6 shortly after, thanks to Morris-Ponga’s first try in the 11th minute. Kiria-Ratu then capitalized on a gap in the Orchids’ defense, scoring in the 16th minute and converting her own try, putting the Moana ahead 12-6.

Morris-Ponga scored her second try in the 21st minute, followed by Hannah Makira‘s contribution in the 33rd minute, which extended the lead to 20-6 by halftime. The players faced challenging conditions, with temperatures around 31 degrees Celsius, impacting performance on both sides.

In the second half, the Moana maintained their momentum. Memory Paitai, making her debut, scored in the 42nd minute, pushing the lead to 24-6. As fatigue set in, Kerehitina Matua powered over the line in the 59th minute, with Kiria-Ratu’s conversion extending the lead to 30-6. Morris-Ponga capped off the scoring with her third try, solidifying the Moana’s dominant performance.

Match statistics highlighted the Moana’s superiority, with a possession rate of 58 percent compared to the Orchids’ 42 percent. The Cook Islands also boasted a completion rate of 78 percent, successfully executing 189 passes against Papua New Guinea’s 125.

Looking ahead, the Cook Islands Moana will face Tonga XIII in the second round of the Pacific Bowl, while the Fetu Samoa team is set to meet New Zealand on October 26, 2023, in the first women’s clash of the Pacific Cup competition. This strong start positions the Moana favorably in their quest for the championship title.