The Women's Rugby League World Cup kicks off in Sydney today and for players from the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea just being there has involved a lot of sacrifice.
The Cook Islands Moana are made up of players based in New Zealand, Australia and Rarotonga and have been preparing for the past three months.
The Cook Islands Moana Women's World Cup team. Photo: NRL Photos
Second rower Jayne Kareroa said their players have faced a number of challenges.
"Some had to leave their families and their babies behind so that's the kind of sacrifice that we actually made," she said.
"Some actually had to tell work on the spot because they were just calling the last minute just to say yep you're actually representing Cook Islands - can you pop onto the next plane the next day."
Cook Islands Moana second rower Jayne Kareroa. Photo: NRL Photos
PNG Orchids prop Maima Wei said a lot of their team have put their lives on hold just to be a part of the World Cup.
"A couple of the girls they've actually quit their jobs - like for me I've quit my job and I've come here, resigned, just to get myself ready for the World Cup," she said.
"And a couple of girls have resigned just to get into camp to train and prepare themselves.
"A lot have quit study and moved up their exams and especially the mothers to get our kids ready, to come and take care of our kids while we're gone so we've sacrificed quite a bit, quite a lot just to get this far."
PNG Orchids front rower Maima Wei. Photo: NRL Photos
The Cook Islands Moana secured the sixth and final berth in the expanded Women's World Cup by default after Fiji, Samoa and Tonga all withdrew from last year's Pacific qualifying tournament.
Jayne Kareroa said they had nothing to lose going into this afternoon's clash with hosts and defending champions Australia.
"We don't have any expectations - all we're going to try and do is just go out there and give it our best," she said.
"It's like fighting David and Goliath sort of thing so we're just going to go out there and give it our all."
The Cook Islands take on Australia in their World Cup opener. Photo: NRL Photos
Papua New Guinea played their first ever test match only two months ago, a 42-4 defeat by the Australia, and have held joint training sessions with the Kumuls men's team in Port Moresby.
Front rower Maima Wei scored PNG's only points against the Jillaroos in Port Moresby and said the whole team is excited about making their World Cup debut.
"Everything is so new, it's history and it's really unreal - we can't believe that we're actually living our dream and all the girls they get so emotional and just doing this it's unreal," said the Lae-raised forward.
"We're living our dream and playing for this - (previously) we were just playing the club games and we don't get much recognition and always doing things on our own but now that we have the support and everybody behind us, the nation, and sponsors like Oil Search it's amazing."
PNG and England clash in the opening round of the Women's Rugby League World Cup. Photo: NRL Photos
The PNG Orchids open their campaign tonight against England and will also face Canada and New Zealand over the coming week.
"As all the other nations coming into the tournament they are here to win and that's the expectations that we all share," said Wei.
"We just want to make an awareness and inspire young girls and that's probably the most important thing that we're here to do and hopefully we will win that will be the icing on the cake."
The PNG Orchids World Cup team. Photo: NRL Photos
