A mammoth task lies ahead of the PNG Pukpuk sevens team this weekend as they nurse a number of injuries, going into the Hamilton sevens.
Henry Kalua and Arthur Clement, had to be sent home while Dean Manale and Wesly Vali, have been flown into New Zealand for the Pukpuks.
According to Head Coach of the PNG Pukpuk sevens team, Douglas Guise, the boys are settling in well while there have been a number of injuries from the Sydney 7s.
Henry Kalua sustained a knee injury while Arthur Clement copped an ankle injury and both had to be sent home to undergo rehab for their respective injuries.
Coach Guise confirmed that there are two changes thanks to one dedicated sponsor Kori Chan of Total Waste Management, who made it possible for Dean Manale and Wesley Vali to fly into New Zealand for the Hamilton sevens this weekend.
Apart from these changes, Manu Guise has a sore eye socket and Aroma speedster, Gairo Kapana, who received a badly corked thigh and swollen- possibly fractured finger.
Willie Tirang is currently nursing badly bruised ribs and Patrick Tatut sustained a leg injury from the Sydney sevens.
Coach Guise says due to funding constraints, the team management cannot do much but push for the players to complete the New Zealand leg of the HSBC World Rugby series in Hamilton.
Coach Guise added that Pukpuks will need to work on their set piece defence, mainly kick off receives and lineouts.
In saying that, Douglas Guise is a firm believer of PNG sevens talent and commended his team for competing well against the top core nations of the Word Sevens Circuit.
Pukpuks last three games were played with only 9 men, as 2 players were ruled out injured, and Eugene Tokavai was suspended for 3 games for a dangerous tackle on England's Dan Norton.