PNG Pukpuks

Pukpuks set, despite injuries

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.

PNG Pukpuks touch down in NZ

The Hamilton 7s tournament is the fourth event of the 2017/2018 world sevens series.

Under the watchful eyes of coach Douglas Gusie, Pukpuks had to recover quickly from their Sydney sevens performance.

The Hamilton sevens is part of the HSBC World Sevens series that the PNG Pukpuks have qualified for this year.

Hamilton sevens action is set for the 3rd and 4th of February when the HSBC New Zealand Sevens takes over FMG Stadium at Waikato.

Pukpuks downed after much-deserved win

PNG sevens managed to put 14 points on the scoreboard but it wasn’t enough to Canada’s 31 points.

Gairo Kapana and Willie Tirang were the two try scorers for the PNG Pukpuks against Canada today as the HSBC Sydney sevens wound down today.

Canada ran in five tries to the Pukpuks’ two converted tries but Pukpuks never seemed to falter throughout the game.

The Aroma speedster made sure he contributed with a try to his name against the Canadians.

PNG Pukpuks defeated in first match

PNG Pukpuks were pooled against the toughest teams of the HSBC world sevens series, including South Africa and England.

PNG Pukpuks have come into this HSBC Sydney sevens series with nothing to lose. These guys have earned their spots in the world sevens series circuit fair and square.

The defending champs, South Africa, played like the real champs they were in the first half, putting three tries on the Papua New Guineans in quick succession.

Pukpuks off to Sydney Sevens

Speaking before their departure today, coach, Dougie Guise said the team has been in training over the last 18 months.

“Preparations have been really good especially in the last couple of weeks with the inclusion of the boys from the outside provinces.

“We’ve picked up a bit of momentum and all looking forward to the challenge over the next couple of weekends.

He said the team for the Sydney Sevens will be captained by Henry Kalua.

There are 16 countries that will taking part in the tournament. The Pukpuks are in Pool C with South Africa, England and Spain.

Pukpuks, Palais go down in finals

In the opening match of the men’s quarter-finals in Fji, Australia edged out the Pukpuks 22-21 to advance on to the semi-final.

The Pukpuks will meet American Samoa in the 5th-8th placed playoffs at 2:20pm (11:20pm PNG time).

The Palais were also unlucky, losing to Australia 25-7 in the first of the women’s semi-finals.

Australia will play New Zealand in the women’s grand final.

Not all hope is lost with the Palais to face off against Fiji for third place at 6:26pm (3:26pm PNG time).

(Photo credit: Oceania Rugby)

Day 1: Pukpuks win two matches

Results:

PNG Pukpuks def. Tuvalu 26-10, PNG Pukpuks def. Vanuatu 33-0, Samoa defeated PNG Pukpuks 31-14.

Results:

PNG Palais drew with Cook Islands 12-12, PNG Palais def. Tahiti 77-0, New Zealand def. PNG Palais 15-0.

Day two will start at 11am (8am PNG time) tomorrow morning, starting with the quarter-finals. 

Pukpuks win, Palais draw

In the opening match of the Championships this morning, the Palais settled for a 12-12 draw with Cook Islands.

Match 6 saw the Pukpuks down Tuvalu 26-10.

In the other matches today, the Pukpuks will take on Vanuatu and then later Samoa, while the Palais have dates with Tahiti and New Zealand.

The Oceania Rugby Sevens Championships started today and will end tomorrow with the finals.

(Palais in training – Photo credit: Oceania Rugby Facebook Page)

Pukpuks lose to Spain in semi-finals

Spain struck first with a try to Inaki Villanueva in the fourth minute. Igor Genua converted for the Spaniards to lead 7-0. This was the half-time score.

Spain came out firing in the second half with two quick tries in three minutes to Angel Lopez and Genua to put them in firm control of the match at 21-0.

But the Pukpuks never gave up and fought until the end, scoring twice in the last two minutes through Wesley Vali and William Tirang.

Spain will face Germany in the World Rugby Seven Series Qualifier Final after they beat Chile 19-7 in the first semi-final.

Pukpuks will play semi-finals today

This comes after a gutsy 14-10 win over Uganda in last night’s quarter-final at Hong Kong Stadium.

PNG’s points came from tries to Arthur Clement and Gairo Kapana, and two successful conversions from Emmanuel Guise.

The win has set up a meet with Spain today at 12:52pm local time (2:52pm PNG time). The other semi-final will be between Chile and Germany.

The winners will play off in the grand final.

Photo credit: Hong Kong Sevens Facebook Page