Oceania 7s tournament

Despite their 54-0 loss against Fiji in the opening match on Thursday, the PNG women have bounced back to win the other three matches against Nauru, Tonga and American Samoa.

Palais will take on one of the toughest teams Fiji on Saturday, November 5 in Suva at ANZ Stadium.

The winner will advance to the final WRWC2017 Asia/Oceania Qualifier event in December in Hong Kong.

This Asia/Oceania Qualifier will feature two Asian qualifiers and one Oceania qualifier and the two highest placed teams will qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland.

Larry said they’ve selected a strong team for this weekend’s match which is their main focus before competing in the Oceania 7s from November 11-12.

Palais will depart Port Moresby on Wednesday to participate at the inaugural Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship in November.

The 15s team will play against Fiji on November 5 to qualify for the World Cup Qualifier.

The 7s team will participate at the Oceania Sevens Championship from November 11-12 against Fiji, Australia, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tonga and the Solomon Islands.

The players were given a mental preparation self-talk and motivational talk by PNG netball team Pepes’ captain Lua Rikis who has been an elite athlete for over 16 years.

The Cook Islands Rugby Union (CIRU) this week released the 22-member squad. 

In a statement, CIRU says the national 7s head coach Chris Roden will be visiting Rarotonga from August 4 to 7 to observe the local talent at the Cook Islands Games 7s tournament to be played on August 6 and 7 at the BCI Stadium.

Roden has also visited overseas Cook Islands 7s players in Auckland and Melbourne.