Lalaura side aiming to play more 7s

 TAKING part for the first time in a city tournament, the Warumana village rugby union team have gained something to take back home.

This team from Lalaura in Abau district, Central, are better known for rugby league but having participated in the recent National Capital District 7s Governor’s Cup, the side now wants to promote the code in their village as well.

Coach Raikarawa Moere said as a former player with the Harlequins premier team in the Capital Rugby Union (CRU), he wanted to promote the code at Lalaura and the only way was to give the players some exposure in a city tournament.

Moere said in the village they had a small rugby league competition made up of four teams.

“The village competition is only made up of the four teams and they play each other in the normal weekend competitions,” he said.

Moere said Warumana has had a team in the popular annual Aroma 7s tournament every year since its inception.

“For the last five years the team has been attending the event and this time around we decided to get them to attend a city tournament.”

He said  he wanted to help his village players.

“This year we brought players to have a taste of a city tournament.

“Next year, we will also give chances to others that did not make it this year and that is the only way we can help develop the players and help promote this code.”

Moere said the village boys had the potential to make the PNG 7s squad. 

“I believe the players that took part learned something and when they go back home they will help promote this code.” 

Warumana missed out on the bowl playoffs, losing in the qualifying rounds.