Big challenge for Pukpuks

By HUXLEY LOVAI
The PNG Pukpuks head to New Zealand from Sydney for the Hamilton leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series this weekend.
For the second year running the Pukpuks will be playing in back-to-back tournaments, after last weekend’s outing in Sydney.
The Pukpuks, who were placed in Pool B, will once again be facing the defending HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champions and current series leaders South Africa.
The Blitzbokke will be eager to put their 29-0 loss to Australia in the Sydney Cup final behind them, and the Pukpuks will at least hope to restrict the try-scoring prowess of Seabelo Senatla and but it will be a difficult task.
Sixth-placed England also await the Pukpuks along with 15th-placed Russia.
Speaking to the media, Pukpuks coach Douglas Guise said: “The boys are excited this will be the second time that the team will be playing in back-to-back tournaments, they’re looking forward to the games as a challenge. This is the World Series, we will be playing the best in the world.
“These tournaments will be used to blood a couple of our young boys.
“We rested few of our players back at home. We don’t often play at tournaments such as the ones in Sydney and Hamilton. “We are trying to get a good core group of players for the Hong Kong 7s.”
The Pukpuks will take some comfort from their single win in Sydney against Spain when the result showing glimpses of the undeniable potential that the Pukpuks have, if given the proper backing.