City 7s rivals are top picks

CITY rivals Port Moresby and Lae will set the tone for an exciting weekend of sevens rugby in the opening match of the National Provincial Championships at Monier Bava Park tomorrow morning.
The Capital Rugby Union Team II will play potential cup favourites Morobe Hammerheads to open proceedings in Pool A.
That will be followed by tournament favourites, Kimbe Rebels, who should be a class above newcomers Gulf Team I.
The New Ireland Drongos then play Alotau and an exciting grudge match is expected between the stylish Daru Stingrays and the Black Orchids of Bougainville in the opening four matches.
Tournament director Sailosi Druma said the late withdrawal of East New Britain and Kimbe Rebels Team II had seen the emergence of Alotau and Central Team II.
Druma expects competition to be tough but said the seeded teams – Kimbe Rebels and Morobe (Pool A), Black Orchids and Daru Stingrays (Pool B), Mad Gauns and Goroka (Pool C), Central Team One and CRU Team I (Pool D) – to progress to the cup quarterfinals on Day Two.
“Competition will certainly be a major challenge for the others to stake their claim against the seeded teams,” he said.
He said Mendi and Goroka could surprise as the teams from the Highlands region but believes the main danger to the more favoured Kimbe, Lae and Buka will be the Mad Gauns of Madang and the flying Stingrays of Daru.
Teams will go through the pool matches on Saturday and depending on their performances they will be slotted into the play-offs for the cup, plate, bowl and trophy on Sunday.
Druma confirmed national selectors would identify potential players for the PNG Sevens squad preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.The Pools: Kimbe, Lae, CRU2, Gulf1 (Pool A), Buka, Daru, Kavieng, Alotau (Pool B), Goroka, Madang, Gulf2, Central2 (Pool C), CRU1, Oro, Central 1, Mendi (Pool D).