Cook Islands Moana Triumphs Over Orchids in Pacific Bowl Opener

The Cook Islands Moana began their Pacific Championships Bowl campaign with an impressive victory, defeating the Papua New Guinea Orchids 34-6 in Port Moresby on October 19, 2023. The match showcased the Moana team’s strength as they secured seven tries against the Orchids’ solitary score, marking a significant turnaround following their previous encounter.

Captain and fullback Kiana Takairangi led the Moana side, while winger Paulina Morris-Ponga made a standout contribution by scoring a hat-trick. Her performance was pivotal in establishing the Moana’s dominance throughout the match, finishing with a total of 12 points.

The match commenced with an early advantage for the Orchids when Emily Veivers scored a try in the seventh minute. After converting her own try, Veivers put Papua New Guinea ahead 6-0. However, that lead was short-lived. Morris-Ponga quickly responded, scoring in the 11th minute to level the game at 6-6.

Playmaker Chantay Kiria-Ratu then displayed her skills, slicing through the defense to score in the 16th minute and converting her try, pushing the Moana ahead 12-6. Following this, Morris-Ponga crossed the line again in the 21st minute, and Hannah Makira added another try just before halftime, bringing the score to 20-6 at the break. The players faced grueling heat, with temperatures around 31 degrees at the Santos National Football Stadium.

The second half saw Cook Islands continue their strong performance while the Orchids struggled to regain momentum. Memory Paitai, making her debut, scored in the 42nd minute, extending the lead to 24-6. Fatigue began to set in for both teams as the match progressed, but the Moana maintained their intensity.

Kerehitina Matua powered through to score in the 59th minute, with Kiria-Ratu successfully converting, bringing the score to 30-6. Morris-Ponga added her third try late in the game, cementing the victory for Cook Islands at 34-6.

Statistical analysis from the match indicated that Cook Islands dominated possession, holding 58 percent compared to 42 percent for Papua New Guinea. The Moana also had a notably higher completion rate of 78 percent and completed 189 passes against the Orchids’ 125.

Looking ahead, the Cook Islands Moana will face Tonga XIII in the next round of the Pacific Bowl on October 26, 2023. Meanwhile, the Fetu Samoa team is set to take on New Zealand in Auckland during the first women’s clash of the Pacific Cup competition. The performance of the Cook Islands sets a promising tone for their campaign, showcasing both talent and determination on the field.