Fijian Football player Leroy Jennings is grateful for the experience in Papua New Guinea following the FIFA World Cup 26- Oceania Qualifiers conclusion in Port Moresby.

A common name in the National Rugby League scene, Leroy is first cousins to Sydney Roosters and New South Wales star centre Michael Jennings who has also represented Fiji Batis in Rugby League.

“It’s been an amazing experience playing football here, the hosts have done a great job hosting us in PNG, my first time here in the country so it was great to meet the locals and learn more about their culture.”

“The highlight was playing PNG Kapuls on their home soil who gave us a really strong match at the PNG Football Stadium and a big crowd who turned up to support.”

Jennings, 26, who was born in Sydney, Australia to parents of Italian and Tongan-Fijian descent is the cousin Michael, George and Robert Jennings, of whom all have played rugby league professionally in NRL.

He is also related to Arthur Jennings, who represented the New Zealand national rugby union team during his playing career.

“He (Michael) has been a great role model, growing up around him and sharing his knowledge in sports has helped us a lot. We are proud in our family for our performance in sports.”

Adding on his experience of football back in PNG, Jennings said securing second spot in Group A for the Fiji Bula’s was not what they expected but were still keen to prepare for the semifinals now set for New Zealand come March 2025.

“It’s a silver lining here, we wanted to top the group but I guess we have to settle in second place but still grateful we qualified for the semifinals.”

“We have a lot of things to go back in camp and work on ahead of the FW26 Qualifying finals in March 2025, he added.”