The PNG Pukpuks have been placed in Pool A alongside England, Kenya and Argentina for this month’s 2016-17 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Wellington, New Zealand.
The two-day tournament will be from January 28-29.
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.
Assistant coach of the Pukpuks, Sailosi Druma, said the ultimate goal at the Wellington Sevens is to get the team ready for the Hong Kong fixtures later in the year where the Pukpuks are looking to qualify for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in 2017-18.
“We were fortunate enough to finish fourth at the Oceania Sevens in Fiji in November to earn our spots for Wellington and Sydney.
“This will be a good lead up for the boys, but the ultimate goal is for Hong Kong because that’s where we want to be,” said Druma.
After Wellington, the Pukpuks will turn their attention to the Sydney round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series that will run from February 4-5.