Jillaroos legend to take charge of PNG Orchids

Women’s rugby league in Papua New Guinea has received another enormous boost ahead of the upcoming Pacific Championships with the appointment of Tahnee Norris as Head Coach of PNG Orchids.

The Australian Jillaroos legend who was recently inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame becomes the first women to take up a fulltime coaching role for an international side.

Norris will assume the responsibility from outgoing coach Ben Jefferies as Orchids set sight on the Pacific Cup against Australian Jillaroos and New Zealand Ferns, starting on October 18.

Capped with 32 test matches for Australia, the New South Wales-born great has an adorned coaching resume, that includes guiding Queensland Maroons to women’s origin series victory in her recent stint early this year.

Norris was in country to witness the inaugural launch of the Women’s National Competition and was impressed with the depth of talent displayed.

She was engaged in providing technical support and coaching expertise for the 6 franchises competing in the elite women’s competition since the maiden kickoff.

The four-time World Cup representative will guide the Orchids to the Pacific Cup where they will meet the Jillaroos on October 18 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane before hosting the Kiwi Ferns in Port Moresby on November 3.

‘’This a fantastic time to be involved in rugby league and I’m both honored and excited to be able to work with the Orchids,” Norris said of her appointment.

“I have seen the depth of talent there is in the country, and I see the passion that the team plays with every time they take the field to represent their nation.

“If we can work hard together and continue to develop as a team, there is no limit on what this group of players can achieve.

“I look forward to starting in the role and getting to meet all of the squad.”

A skillful and hard running forward, Norris has had an incredible career as both a player and coach.
Named in the NRL Women’s Team of the Decade in 2013, Norris is one of the greatest players of all time having played 13 matches for Queensland and an amazing 32 Test matches for the Australian Jillaroos, making her the most capped player of all time.

Norris also represented her country in four World Cups [2000, 2003, 2008 and 2013], where she was named in the Team of the Tournament on three occasions.

In the 2013 tournament, Norris was able to co-captain Australia to their first World Cup win in England, after defeating New Zealand by 22-12 in the final.

After retiring in 2013, Norris moved into coaching with immediate success, guiding the Burleigh Bears to an incredible six Premierships in seven years between 2015 and 2021, in addition to taking on the role of Assistant Coach with the Jillaroos [2014 – 2016].

Further success followed at State of Origin level, leading Queensland to series victories in her first year in 2021, and consecutive wins in the 2023 and 2024 series.

She was honored for her glittering career by being inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame last month.

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League chief executive officer Stanley Hondina said her cutting-edge appointment was an important step towards building women’s rugby league in the country.

“Firstly, we extend our thanks for the contribution and efforts of Ben Jeffries as the Head Coach of the Orchids over the past seasons including getting the team to the World Cup Semi Final in 2022.

“We wish Ben all the success for the remainder of the NRLW season with the Knights.”

“Tahnee has had an incredible career as both a player and coach, and we are extremely proud to name her as the new Head Coach of the Santos PNG Orchids.

“Wherever she has gone, Tahnee has proven to be a winner. As a player she won every honor in the game, and she has taken that winning mindset into coaching where she has continued to have amazing success.

“Her knowledge of the game is second to none and she will bring a lifetime of experience and excellence to this role.

“We believe that she is the perfect coach to help develop what is an extremely talented Orchids squad.”
PNG NRL Bid Chief Executive, Andrew Hill, also saw the appointment as a major positive for the women’s game in Papua New Guinea:

“Being able to appoint someone of Tahnee’s pedigree and experience to work with the Orchids is another major step forward for the women’s game in PNG

“We have spent a lot of time looking to create the right structures to make sure the best young female players are able to develop their games through high level coaching and support.

“Having a Head Coach of Tahnee’s standing in the game will give the Orchids great leadership and direction and the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest players and coaches the game has ever seen.

“We are incredibly excited to have her on board.