Palais prepare for Sydney 7s

By HUXLEY LOVAI
THE Papua New Guinea Palais sevens team returns to full training this week after the New Year’s break, as they prepare for their first hit out of 2018 which will be the Sydney 7s from Jan 26-28.
Coach John Larry said the team had been in camp for the last six weeks following their return from the Oceania Sevens Championships in Suva, Fiji, in November.
The current train on squad includes 23 players all of whom are Port Moresby-based given the strength of the women’s competition.
Three Australia-based players Melanie Kawa, Marlugu Dixon and Gemma Schnaubelt have indicated their interest in joining the team once the squad arrives in Sydney.
“The core of the team that went to Fiji in November have been retained but we have a good mix of younger players who are pushing the older ones for a spot in the final 12-man team,” Larry said.
“We have selected players from both rugby competitions in Port Moresby, the Capital Rugby Union and National Capital Rugby Union. We mustn’t let the current situation deny players the opportunity to represent the country.
“Our main focus this year would be the qualification tournament in Hong Kong. We have to finish in the top four to qualify in the HSBC Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series.”