PNG returns to 7s series

Sports

By SULI SULI
THE national men’s rugby union team will make a return to the international sevens arena when they face South Korea in the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Chile tomorrow.
The Papua New Guinea Pukpuks and Palais (women) left on Sunday in a bid to secure a spot in the 2023 HSBC sevens circuit.
Representing the Oceania region, PNG are among 11 other countries that will compete in the three-day tournament from Aug 12-14 in Santiago, Chile.
The Pukpuks are placed in Pool A with Korea, Georgia and hosts Chile. In the women’s division, PNG are slotted in Pool E alongside Poland, Belgium and Argentina.
Under John Larry, the Palais will need to step up against Poland and Belgium who were outstanding as invitational teams in the series events in Malaga and Seville.
Meanwhile, the 12-man Aiem Pilokos-coached Pukpuks are hopeful of reaching the finals.
PNG Rugby Union chief executive Sailosi Druma said both teams would need to work hard to qualify for the sevens circuit. “The aim is to get to the semifinals,” he told The National yesterday.