Sevens coach says teams need corporate support

By HUXLEY LOVAI
REGARDLESS of the turmoil and infighting surrounding PNG rugby over the last year, it was the players who did the talking on the field as 2017 drew to a close.
At the 2017 Oceania Rugby Sevens Championships inNovember in Suva, Fiji, the Pukpuks finished fifth, while the Palais finished fourth in the women’s competition.
These results ensured that both the Pukpuks and Palais qualified for the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018, in San Francisco, from July 20-22.
The achievement underlines the fact that PNG has the potential to do well on the international stage.
Pukpuks coach Douglas Guise said his side needed adequate support from corporate PNG.
Both teams have no major sponsors hindering their preparations for what the code’s biggest year.
“I believe that PNG has the talent in sevens to challenge the top tier nations. Our girls showed that they can match it with New Zealand and Australia. The Pukpuks have also done well against Australia, Fiji and Samoa.
“The Pukpuks and Palais have qualified for the Commonwealth Games and the Sevens World Cup on merit, they have really worked hard to get where they are. All they need is support in the form of sponsorship.”
Guise stated that without a major sponsor preparations would be difficult, restricting the training camp to Port Moresby-based players.
Players outside of the capital are doing their own training following in order to maintain fitness.
“The team will be finalised once the players from outside NCD join us once funding is secured.
“Hopefully once the players fly in we can have a one or two week camp before we fly out to the upcoming tournaments – the Sydney (Jan 26-28) and Hamilton sevens (Feb3-4),” Guise said.