HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2016-17

The Pukpuks showed fight in their opening match against the Scots despite going down 26-12 at Allianz Stadium.

The Pukpuks’ points came from tries to Gairo Kapana, Emmanuel Guise and a try conversion from Arthur Clement.

The second game against the Kiwis proved much harder for them, with the Pukpuks losing 31-7.

However, the men’s team did manage to cross the line with Nathan Baramun scoring in the first half, with Clement adding the extras.

The Pukpuks still have one game tonight against Australia at 8.35pm (7.35pm PNG time).

Having finished 13th in Dubai and Cape Town, the Canadians won all three of their pool matches against Wales, Scotland and Russia to set up a quarter-final against Argentina today (Jan 29).

The third round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series also saw South Africa top the "Pool of death", after beating Fiji, Australia and Japan on day one. They were one of four sides to maintain 100 percent records at the Westpac Stadium, with New Zealand, England and Canada progressing without a defeat.

In their second match today, the Pukpuks went down to Kenya 47-5. The Pukpuks’ only points came from William Tirang, who scored in the 7^th minute of the match.

Down, but not out, the Pukpuks came back stronger in their third and last match of day one against Argentina.

Argentina struck first to take a 7-0 lead but the Pukpuks fought back and equalized through Tirang, who scored his second of the tournament. Emmanuel Guise converted to make it 7-7.

England got off to a slow start, taking a 12-0 lead at the break with tries to Daniel Bibby and Charlie Hayter.

The second half saw England run away with the game with four answered tries at Westpac Stadium.

The Pukpuks still have two more games left today against Kenya at 3.56pm local time (12.56pm PNG time) and Argentina at 7.44pm (4.44pm PNG time).

In the other matches from this morning, Wales def. Russia 33-0, Canada def. Scotland 28-19, Fiji def. Australia 26-12, South Africa def. Japan 33-0, Argentina def. Kenya 17-12 and USA drew with France 21-21.

The game will kick off at Westpac Stadium at 12:55pm local time (9:55am PNG time).

PNG’s next game is against Kenya and will get underway at 3:56pm. This will be followed by the showdown with Argentina at 7:44pm.

The finals will be played the next day.

PNG has been placed in Pool A of the tournament with England, Kenya and Argentina. In Pool B are South Africa, Fiji, Australia and Japan.  Pool C consists of New Zealand, USA, France and Samoa. Pool D features Scotland, Wales, Russia and Canada.

The two day tournament will run from January 28-29.