Sevens draw revised but Team NCD still hold all the cards

PNG Games rugby sevens hit a snag two days out from the rescheduled start of competition when Team Eastern Highlands was found to be missing from the list of competing centres.
Team EHP argued its case at the management meeting yesterday after it was revealed that the province did not have its name on the official draw.
Rugby sevens organisers and games draw makers agreed to revise the draw after consultation which should see the newly-revised draw available today.
There will now be 15 teams in three pools of five teams with the top two from each pool advancing to the gold medal play-off while the losing semi-finalists will competes for the bronze medal.
So far team NCD appears to have named a powerful side having called upon the services of Pukpuks George Hoki and Charlie Maip while experienced playmaker Adeck Naio complements a young but potent backline.
Coach John Larry said the team was made up mainly of fringe sevens players with several seasoned veterans to balance out the team.
This is in contrast to the majority of other teams who have treated the PNG games strictly as platform to run their young rugby sevens talent in the form of development players.