Australia is eagerly counting down to their debut appearance at the Pacific Games in Port Moresby, and is expecting a fierce battle for medals with their Island neighbours.
Along with New Zealand, Australia accepted an invitation to enter teams in taekwondo, weightlifting, sailing and rugby sevens, in the first step towards an expanded Continental Games.
Australia's Chef de Mission for the 2015 Pacific Games, Malcolm Page. Photo: Supplied
Chef de Mission Malcolm Page says Australia is excited about taking their first step towards being a permament part of the Pacific Games, a move he believes makes sense for the long term.
"Being Australia and New Zealand we are in the Pacific, it is our backyard, we love it and it's just great to be part of these Games. I know when I was up in Port Moresby a few months back, for the Chef de Mission meetings, the atomosphere and also the culture Papua New Guinea has was really shining through and I think they're going to be putting on a pretty impressive event and really taking the Pacific Games to a new level so it's exciting times".
Malcolm Page says Australia wants to win as many events as possible but admits it won't be easy for them to be champions, with Pacific athletes very strong in the four contested sports.
Test events for the Games are being held in Port Moresby this weekend with the opening ceremony just over four weeks away.
