Palais eye second title

 THE Pukpuks and Palais have different agendas at this week’s Borneo Hottest Sevens.

For the men it is a chance to regroup after the Wellington Sevens while the women are hoping to claim their second title since 2011.

The teams departed for Sabah, Malaysia, yesterday.

The tournament starts on Friday and ends on Sunday.

The men’s team takes on Sri Lanka and Singapore on Friday and China, Tonga and Hong Kong on Saturday.

The women’s side faces Japan and Malaysia on Friday and China and Hong Kong the following day.

Finals will be played on Sunday.

Pukpuks assistant coach Douglas Guise said the aim of the men’s side is to enhance the confidence of the team after a baptism of fire at the Wellington Sevens in New Zealand  earlier in the month where the side lost all their matches on their return to the World Sevens Series stage.

He said the poor performance in Wellington had a negative impact on the players but they had been encouraged to put that behind them and  continue training hard and focus on the Borneo event.

“I hope that our boys will do their very best and play a lot better than they did in Wellington,” Guise said. 

“That is our main priority and we are confident we will get some wins under our belt at this tournament,” he said.  Captain Hubert Tseraha said during the two-week break after the New Zealand tournament, the squad had been training in Port Moresby and trying to remedy their problem areas so they are hoping to improve in Malaysia this weekend.

Palais coach Sailosi Druma said his side had a good mix of players and he was hopeful that after four weeks of training, the women would be a competitive unit under captain Kymlie Rapilla.

“The Palais won the Borneo 7s in 2011 and I hope that these girls will do it again — with the help of some of our senior players,” Druma said.

Pukpuks: Eugeme Tokavai, Butlen Morris, Leo Tikot, Stanis Susuve, Henry Kalua, Hensley Peter, Author Clement, Dean Manale, Henry Liliket, Hubert Tsereha (c), Wesly Vali, Max Vali. Palais: Michelle John, Kymlie Karani, Freda Waula, Dalcie Bomai, Margaret Naua, Taie Rema, Alois Alice, Amanda Ipat, Angela Parao, Cassandra Sampsan, Naomi Alapi, Robyn Ravu, Yaroweena Morafa.