Palais putting best foot forward in HK

THE Papua New Guinea Palais are all set to give the Hong Kong Sevens their best shot as they prepare for one of the biggest tournaments of their lives.
Head coach Paul Tietjens, pictured, said for the young women who will wear the national colours, the journey had been a great experience.
“The team has settled in well (after arriving on Sunday night),” he said.
“We have had four training sessions, where we have focused on team clarity in attack and defence.”
Tietjens is approaching the tournament with great confidence after putting his International Container Terminal Services Incorporated-sponsored side through four high performance training camps in-country and one overseas, and believes he has a team who can get the desired results if they play to their true potential.
“Yes, we are physically and mentally prepared,” he said.
“In defence, we have to use our physicality, good line speed and be aggressive. Basically, do the simple things right and we should be okay.”
The opening game is on today at 10.44am in Hong Kong (12.44pm, PNG time) which is against the home side and Tietjens is relying on the physicality of his team to set the foundations to utilise the pace they have.
Fatima Rama, Joanne Lagona, Gemma Schnaubelt and Chelsea Garesa and Tavai Lavai are players who can break open a game.
Captain Kymlie Rapilla, Helen Abau, Debbie Kaore, Yollanda Gittins and Marlugu Dixon form a group who have been together for some time and know what their roles are.
Marie Biyama, who surprised many by forcing her way into the team after overcoming a serious leg injury, is one player who has had Hong Kong experience and should prove useful to the team.
Alice Alois also provides Tietjens with additional options.
PNG is grouped in Pool B with Uganda, who they play in the second game at 1.18pm (3.18pm, PNG time) and Kenya 4.14pm (6.14pm, PNG time).
Pool A has Japan, Belgium, Scotland and Mexico while Pool C has Brazil, Argentina. Kazakhstan and Poland.
The top two in each pool and the best finishers from the three pools advance to the quarterfinals tomorrow.
Titejens said in order to qualify for the Series against tier-one nations like New Zealand and England, they had to win the Hong Kong Sevens.
“We are taking one game at a time and each game is like a final for us,” he said,
Tietjens thanked sponsors ICTSI, National Gaming Control Board, G4S, Credit Corporation, Kumul Petroleum Holdings, Gateway Hotel, Lamana Hotel, Axellerate, PNG HP Sports, PNG Sports Foundation chief executive Peter Tsiamalili Jr and the PNG Olympic Committee for their support.
Tietjens also thanked the Government — including Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for his personal support.
Palais: Kymlie Rapilla, Marie Biyama, Helen Abau, Debbie Kaore, Yollanda Gittins, Taiva Lavai, Gemma Scnaubelt, Marlugu Dixon, Joanne Lagona, Fatima Rama, Chelsea Garesa, Alice Alois, Cathy Puro.