Jennings Grateful for Football Experience in PNG

Fijian Football player Leroy Jennings is grateful for the experience in Papua New Guinea following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers conclusion in Port Moresby. 

A common name in the National Rugby League scene, Leroy is the first cousin of Sydney Roosters and New South Wales star center 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. It was my first time here in the country, so it was great to meet the locals and learn more about their culture,” Jennings said.

“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 of Michael, George, and Robert Jennings, all of whom have played rugby league professionally in the 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 of our family for our performance in sports,” he said. 

Adding on his experience of football back in PNG, Jennings said securing the second spot in Group A for the Fiji Bulas was not what they expected, but were still keen to prepare for the semi-finals 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 semi-finals,” Jennings said. 

“We have a lot of things to go back to camp and work on ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying finals in March 2025.”