Pukpuks bring in trio for Marist 7s tourney

By HUXLEY LOVAI
THE Papua New Guinea Pukpuks sevens team left the country yesterday for Fiji where they will compete in the Marist 7s tournament in Suva this weekend (March 23-24).
The competition provides a much needed hit out for the Pukpuks as they prepare for the all-important Hong Kong 7s tournament early next month (April 6-8) where PNG along with other non-core teams will have a chance to qualify for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Buoyed by their impressive showing at the Hamilton 7s last month, the Pukpuks will be looking to refining their game plans and set plays, as they take on the best of Fijian domestic talent this weekend.
Pukpuks coach Douglas Guise told The National that the Marist 7s would be used to give a chance to the players who missed out on games during the Sydney and Hamilton legs of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
“Very good to have this hit out for a few of our boys who are coming back from injury and didn’t have the opportunity to play in Sydney and Hamilton,” Guise said.
“Hensley Peter and Emil Latuminah as well as Joseph Mocke have been recalled back into the squad so this tournament will give them a chance to have a run ahead of Hong Kong. For the other players it’s a continuation of their form and fitness, so everyone benefits from it.
“We hope to improve in a couple of key areas that we lacked in Hamilton and Sydney. Mainly our set pieces, our line outs and our kick offs, I thought we struggled a bit. We improved from Sydney in Hamilton but I think we can be a lot better and sharper in those areas moving forward to Hong Kong,” he said.
Guise is looking to the returning trio of Peter, Latuminah and Mocke to press for a place in the final squad for Hong Kong.
Their skills and temperament will be tested against classy opponents in Fiji.
“We’ve brought in Hensley Peter and we need a bit of extra fire power on the edges. Again he’s one of smarter players, he brings speed and playmaking ability to the squad. “Emil (Latuminah) is a utility player, who can play a forward role or switch to playing as a back and he has good skills in the air and at the kick-offs.
“Joseph Moke provides some more grunt at the break down and hits hard on defence as well as being a hard, straight runner and creates opportunities for second phase play.” The Pukpuks are the top seed in Pool 3 where they take on Army 2, M16 Blues Navakaoca-Taveuni and Ratu Filise Development.
Pukpuks 7s: Joe Mocke, Danny Opa, Himah Alu, Eugene Tokavai, Henry Kalua, Arthur Clement, Wesley Vali, Freddy Rova, Hensley Peter, Dean Manale, Gairo Kapana, Emil Latuminah, Willie Tirang.