Provincial unions to field men’s teams

PROVINCIAL unions (PU) will be allowed to select and field men for the 15-a-side national championships, says Papua New Guinea Rugby Union (PNGRU).
While PUs have been asked to take part in their regional championships before the national championship, PNGRU has made an exception this year — given the impact of Covid-19.
“The regional tournaments will consist of provincial matches within each region, from which regional teams will be selected for the national championships,” PNGRU said in a statement.
“For the men’s competition, due to the disruptions caused by Covid-19 in 2020 (and this year), it will take a while for a number of PUs to re-establish their 15-a-side programmes.
“As such, the PUs concerned will be allowed to send players to their regional tournaments to play in composite sides with further details to be announced later.
“Due to a low number of PUs conducting women’s 15-a-side programmes, the women’s competition pathway will comprise two regional tournaments — Southern and Northern.
“A team representing each region will be selected to participate in the women’s national championship.”
From the national championships, national squads for the Pukpuks (men) and Cassowaries (women) will be selected.
The national coach and selectors will have the discretion to select overseas-based players and players from provincial club competitions.
The players selected will be added to the national squads.
Meanwhile, PNGRU said it would continue dialogue with PUs to carry out development programmes this year under strict Covid-19 protocols in schools and local competitions.