Team begins first training in Suva yesterday ahead of the tournament this weekend

The Papua New Guinean men’s rugby sevens team did not waste any time as they went on the first training run at Bidesi Park, Suva yesterday.

The PNG side jetted into the country on Sunday night and moved straight to Suva.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday PNG coach Dougie Guise said although it was a slow start for them, they have settled down and continue with their training today.

“We got to bed by 3 to 4am this morning so it was understandable that we were going to be a bit flat today, so we just wanted to get the first run out of the way and we will pick up from here tomorrow,” he said.

Guise added that they had lost their experienced players who have switched to rugby league but hope to do their best in this weekend’s Oceania Sevens Championship. “This is relatively a new side as we are sort of in a rebuilding stage as we have three to four experienced players. They have either been to the Oceania qualifiers or the World Series tournaments.

“Reaching the semi-finals is our main goal but we will also like to have that qualifying spot for next year so that we can have a programme to work on.

“This is because this is the only annual tournament where we can expose our sevens boys too.

“So really like Oceania to look into developing a sevens series for the region for teams like us, Cook Islands, Solomons and Tonga,” he said.

Guise is urging the local PNG community to come out in numbers on Friday and Saturday to cheer them on.

“We will like them to come and support the boys as we play a different brand of rugby. We are not that confrontational so come along and cheer on our boys.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

stella.moresio@fijisun.com.fj