Molowia proud to follow dad to PNG honours

Two-try hero Martha Molowia struggled to hold back tears following Papua New Guinea's opening victory against Canada, as she described the pride she felt in following in her father's footsteps by representing the country at a World Cup. 

Molowia and her father Tuksy Karu, who played for the Papua New Guinea Kumuls in the early 1990s, are the first ever father and daughter to represent the country in its national sport. 

Molowia was the best player on ground in her Test debut on Wednesday morning (AEDT), helping the Orchids pick up their first ever win at World Cup level with a pair of impressive tries, three line breaks and 238 metres in the 34-12 win. 

“I feel honoured and proud to be the first Kumul’s daughter to follow in their father’s footsteps. My father’s dream has come true," Molowia said in an interview published by the team. 

"Back home he used to encourage me to do what I want. I told him I really wanted to play just like him, and he used to give me advice.

I am representing all my sisters back home too. It's great an honour to do this.

Martha Molowia

Molowia, 27, previously played for the PNG Prime Minister’s XIII, last month coming off the bench for 35 minutes against the Australia Prime Minister’s XIII.

Orchids coach Ben Jeffries was impressed by Molowia's performance, particularly given how she responded after making a couple of errors early against Canada.

"Proud of her. She had to face a bit of adversity at the start with a couple of errors, but she pulled through very well," Jeffries said. 

"She thoroughly deserved her couple of tries and player of the match award.

"Martha's a talent, she's proven that over the last 12 months, this is why she is on the big stage now."