PNG Pukpuks

Sabatha and Volu took local club, Bialla Suaras to participate in the recently held Rookie 7s tournament in Port Moresby last month which was a first time experience and an eye opener for the village boys.

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.

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.

Slotted into Pool A, the Pukpuks took on Scotland in their opening match yesterday going down 27-0.

The Pukpuks were smoked by giants South Africa receiving a 52-0 whipping, but came out on top in their last match of the day beating Malaysia 31-5 last night.

Tries went to Emmanuel Guise, William Tirang, Wesley Vali and a double to Gairo Kapana.

The medal playoffs for rugby sevens will start at 1:55pm this afternoon at Robina Stadium.

Pool A consists of Scotland, PNG, South Africa and Malaysia.

Women’s Bronze Medal Match: Canada vs England (1:55pm)

Poor defence gave the Scots their first points through Jamie Farndale who put on some good footwork out wide to run fifty metres to score.

Scotland continued to control possession and were in for their second try after Darcy Graham showed he had too much pace on the wing.

A try to George Horne extended Scotland’s lead to 17-0 going into the sheds.

The Pukpuks couldn’t control the ball and it only cost them more points with Scotland, running in two more tries in the second half with Farndale grabbing his second and one from a James Fleming intercept try.

Apart from the nervous start and getting schooled against South Africa, Coach Guise says Pukpuks competed well against all core teams, culminating with a good win against France.

Coach Guise says the team’s performance at the recent HSBC Hamilton 7s proved that systems can work and compete against the best in the world.

He revealed it was tough playing with 9 men on the last day of the tournament in Sydney and 11 men in Hamilton, New Zealand, with key players missing through injury.

“But I was really proud how the boys coped with these adversities,” stated Guise.

PNG got away to a 14-0 lead at the break, thanks to tries from Gairo Kapana and Eugene Tokavai.

More points came in the second half through tries to Freddy Rova, another to Kapana and William Tirang.

The Pukpuks will now face USA in the semi-final at 12:25pm. In the other semi-final, Argentina will play Canada. This match kicks off at 12:03pm.

Winners from both semi-finals will play off in the Challenge final at 3:33pm this afternoon.

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2018- Hamilton is being played live on TVWAN Action.

This morning, the Pukpuks lost to South Africa 36-5. The Pukpuks only points came off a try from Eugene Tokavai in the third minute.

The Pukpuks were then defeated by England 27-0 in the match played after lunch.

The last pool match will see the Pukpuks take on Russia at 3:44pm this afternoon.

There are 16 countries playing in the two day tournament that ends tomorrow. The Pukpuks are in Pool B with South Africa, England and Russia.

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2018- Hamilton is being played live on TVWAN Action.

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.

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.