Palais coach targets Games gold

palais coach Elenoa Kunatubu wants nothing but the best performance on home soil in the 2015 Pacific Games.
Winning gold could be a big ask for the national women’s rugby sevens team and much work in required before July 4 next year when the Games open.
Papua New Guinea’s toughest opponent is Fiji and any hope of beating the traditional regionalgiants rests with Kunatubu and her assistant, Sailosi Druma.
The Palais train-on squad is in camp at the Bomana Correctional Service, outside Port Moresby, preparing for the Hong Kong 7s.
The Palais won bronze at the last Games in New Caledonia and a better finish is anticipated.
With the gold medal tantalisingly within reach, the Palais willhave to Dig deeper than they ever have.
Kunatuba is not new to the Palais. She is proud of taking charge of the side.
Following the National Provincial women’s sevens championships a fortnight ago, 60 players have been identified, with 16 in a training camp.
A former Fijian representative player and coach, Kunatuba said while she wants to maintain the 16 players until the Pacific Games, there was a need for a backup plan and that was where the larger pool of players came in.
“We will try to maintain the same team but there is need for change when the need arises so we can pick from the squad identified who will go through the same training,” Kunatuba said.
The Hong Kong Sevens will be her first assignment since her appointment. The yet to be confirmed Oceania 7s is next on her list.