Fullback is an important position in rugby league and Martha Molowia showed why as Papua New Guinea opened their World Cup account with a 34-12 win over Canada.
After a hard-fought twenty minutes from both sides where chances went begging, it would be the Orchids who would open the scoring.
A quick shift to the right saw Shellie Long in some space, before she cut back inside several defenders and barged over to score.
The Ravens would hit back soon after as a deft Canadian grubber was bobbled by an Orchids player and Petra Woods was there to ground the ball.
Molowia then made her mark, showing a mix of skill, determination and brute strength, to bustle her way over the line for her first try.
With the Orchids up 8-6 at the break, the game was evenly poised.
The Orchids came out with the desire, however, and Molowia was at it again with a try even better than her first.
Receiving the ball on her left and about 40m out, she turned on the jets, left defenders in her wake, and scored a try off a blistering run.
With all the momentum in their favour, the Orchids scored again through Ua Ravu who just burrowed her way over the line.
Showing plenty of spirit, however, the Ravens side refused to give up and dug in their heels.
Prop Megan Pakulis did it herself as she carried defenders over the line and was just able to get the ball down to score.
The Orchids would then extend their lead when a lovely pass back on the inside by Sera Koroi found a rampaging Essay Banu to steamroll her way over.
Their second last try was a case of too many numbers on the left and Belinda Gwasamun did the hard work to ger over and ground the ball.
Capping off the win was a try for Anika Butler who made a break down the sideline, cut inside and ran away to score.
Papua New Guinea 34 (Molowia 2, Butler, Gwasamun, Banu, Long, Ravu; G: Veivers 2, Malabang 1) def. Canada 12 (Pakulis, Woods; G: Frananda 2).
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Martha Molowia (PNG)
2. Megan Pakulis (CAN)
1. Ua Ravu (PNG)
