PNG Palais

Palais aim high as they jet off for Dubai

After a convincing performance at the recent Oceania 7s Championships in Brisbane in November followed by their silver medal feat at the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands, the PNG Women’s 7s team has now set its sight on the HSBC World Challenger Series in Dubai, United  Arab Emirates next weekend.

The PNG Palais are beaming confident of competing well at the upcoming HSBC World Challenger Series in Dubai.

Same Rugby 7s team to SI Games

The PNG 7s teams will be joining the rest of the PNG athletes with positive energies after qualifying for the Challengers Series.

The PNG Rugby Union President Paul Siwi said that team PNG got the baptism of fire in the Oceania Rugby 7s finals as they fell short to the top tier 7s teams. However, this does not mean PNG Rugby can deliver a medal for its country at the 17 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

Palais off to Hamilton 7s

The PNG Women’s participation is on invitation after their outstanding performance at last year’s Oceania 7s Tournament in Brisbane where they qualified for this year’s World Sevens Qualifiers in Chile.

Coach Billy Rapilla has maintained the core of the team based on combination and consistency with a lot of skill,speed,agility and strength across the park.

PNGRU has the trust and confidence in our girls’ ability to perform at this elite level.

PNG is pooled against Fiji, Great Britain and hosts New Zealand.

PNG 7s Pull Out

The teams were geared to participate in the 3-day event at the Navigation Homes stadium, Auckland however, due to international transit flight issues between Australia and New Zealand, the trip was cancelled at the last minute.

When confirming the news today, PNGRU President Paul Siwi said with international borders now opening up again, bookings have been a challenge, especially getting the Pukpuks and Palais 7s teams on group travel bookings between Sydney and Auckland on transit.

Big Year For Palais

The train on squad of 30 players started their training on Monday in preparation for two international fixtures this year. Both are qualifiers for the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup.

For the Palais, training is their number one priority. The team needs to get its fitness and strength levels in order, and the techniques right.

Larry said, “Our girls have been quiet for almost three years, due to the global pandemic, so with very minimal time, we will try to make use of it so that the girls are back on track again and ready to attend the tournament.”

PNGRU Strategic Plan

The 2021 to 2026 plan outlines all national and international events. Prime Minister James Marape witnessed the launch alongside a number of parliamentarians, dignitaries, board executives of the PNG Pukpuks and PNG Palais, and players of the national men and women teams.

The Prime Minister had a few words of encouragement for the players.

PNG Palais’ travel denied

World Rugby is working with PNG Rugby to try to re-arrange the travel plans, so that the team can take part in the qualifier.

National development manager for PNGRFU, Ian Liveras, said: “We are working with PNG Rugby and World Rugby and will ensure our players get to attend the qualifiers in the next few days.”

Upon the team’s return from the Olympic qualifiers, they will get back into training in preparation for upcoming international matches.

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PNG Palais to participate in new comp

The Sevens Challenger Series is a new competition designed to boost rugby sevens’ development across the globe.

World Rugby unveiled the details on February 11th.

The series will take place at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, South Africa, on 28-29 March, 2020.

The standalone event will see 12 teams who have qualified from all six World Rugby regions competing to win a coveted core place on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series for the 2021 season.

PNG Rugby Union announces women’s 7s team

Chairman Syd Yates said coach Paul Tietjens has given the wider training squad, which has been in intense training since returning from the April Hong Kong 7s, every opportunity to make the final team.

Injuries, fitness levels, performance in game situation, attitude on and off the field, commitment and dedication to training, were among the factors that were used to name the final team.

PNG Palais start off strong

The tournament was hosted in Hong Kong from April 4th-5th.

In match three of Pool B on the 4th of April, Fatima Rama, Tavai Lavai and Joanne Lagona posted points for their side in the first half, where the teams went for break with 17-nil.

Right after halftime, Marie Biyama sped past Hong Kong defenders for another PNG try, thanks to Joanne Lagona’s impressive sidestepping and pass.

Unfortunately, Lagona was sent to the bin minutes later for an intentional knock-on.