Australia's Jillaroos will play a historic international against Papua New Guinea's Orchids next month, marking the first time the national women's rugby league side has competed in Port Moresby.
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The clash will be played on September 23 before the Kumuls host their annual fixture against a Prime Minister's XIII, made up of NRL players from clubs not featuring in the preliminary finals being played on the same weekend.
In a huge day of rugby league at Port Moresby's national stadium, an under-16s match between the NSW Rugby League Young Achievers and a PNG Select side will act as a curtain raiser.
Jillaroos coach Brad Donald plans to use the match as part of his selection process for the Women's World Cup in November.
"This is another fantastic step forward for the growth of the game and the exciting opportunities that our women's rugby league pathway program provides," Donald said.
"It'll undoubtedly be a memorable experience. Very few athletes ever get to represent their nation overseas, let alone in such a passionate rugby league-loving nation like Papua New Guinea, so I'll be watching closely to see how everyone handles the occasion."
Like the men's team, only female players who don't have any NSWRL finals commitments will be available for selection in the Jillaroos side.
"While the timing is unfortunate, selection for the final World Cup squad will be due to a player's overall performances for their club, state and national teams, and not just those selected to play in PNG," Donald said.
Donald will select his team on Monday, September 11, and the squad will link up on the Gold Coast for a training camp the following Sunday before flying to PNG.
The Jillaroos and Prime Minister's XIII squads will both conduct a series of coaching clinics and community events while in the rugby league-mad country.
