Palais stepping up preparations for Hong Kong 7s

By ISAAC LIRI
THE Papua New Guinea Palais had three trial matches at Bava Park in Port Moresby yesterday as part of their preparations for the Hongkong Sevens (April 4-5).
Palais coach Paul Tietjens said the aim of having the matches was to give the players some game time and also simulate scenarios at tournament.
“We’ve had a lack of game time together since the Sydney Sevens earlier this year,” he said.
“I know the girls have been playing with their clubs in the local competition on the weekends, but we haven’t played together as a team.
“We were supposed to go to New Zealand for a trial this month but that didn’t pull through and obviously we have a squad of 20 players.
“So that has allowed me to put two teams to play three trial matches to simulate day one of the Hong Kong Sevens.”
During the trials, Tietjens said his main concern was monitoring the basics in attack and defence.
“Doing the basics well, looking after the ball upon contact, executing our attacking plays and getting our defence systems right are important,” he said.
“In Sydney, in the last matches, we fell off on a lot of tackles and that was due to our condition levels.
“These girls have the rare and natural abilities to play and on game day, they can push any team.
“So I am very confident if the girls can play to their full potential and do the simple things like keep the ball, then I am confident that we can do well in Hong Kong.”
Tientjens will today announce the team, which will include 13 travelling players and a non-travelling reserve. The team, who will leave for Hong Kong on Sunday, are pooled with the hosts, Uganda and Kenya.