PNG's bid for 7s

NATIONAL selectors have named a number of “top gun” players in a bid to resurrect the spiraling form of the Papua New Guinea team on the IRB World Sevens Series circuit.
Goroka powerhouse Yaisuo Giheno, Kavieng’s Eremas Simba, St Joseph’s College Old Boys Kori Chan, Madang journey-man Joseph Wamapiri and Mendi Muruks try-scoring freak Wesley Benny give a new outlook to the training squad. Probably the stand-out “gun’’ selection would have to be the explosive finishing power of Pukpuk wingers Richard Mark and Gina Ponda together with rising bolters David Eri and Emmanuel Auru.
The 22-man squad was selected after stand-out performances during the recent MRDC PNG Sevens and throughout the year, monitored under the national development squad.
The squad will form the basis of next year’s proposed tournaments.
PNGRFU chief executive officer Peter Tsiamalili jnr yesterday outlined the tournaments earmarked for 2007 were the Darwin Sevens, Fiji Sevens, IRB Wellington Sevens (February 3-4) and the Pacific Games (August).
Tsiamalili jnr said due to the Fiji Sevens being held at the same time as the Darwin tournament on January 19-20, they are just waiting on latest developments to decide which one to attend.
“The Fiji Sevens is not back on the World Sevens circuit but it is a sanctioned IRB second-tier satellite tournament,” he said.
“The Fijians are inviting all the best in the South Pacific and should prove to be a great stepping stone for the team when it is finalised,” he added.
With the form of the PNG Sevens side at its lowest ebb on the world scene…national selectors and national coach Sailosi Druma are searching for those “gun’’ players to make a difference.
A team of 12 will be finalised over the next six weeks.
The PNG Sevens squad: Eremas Simba, Yaisuo Giheno, Alex Haija, Stephen Iko, Aaron Miai, Daniel Siaguru, Willie Rikis (forwards/strikers), Jack Maraha, Joseph Wamapiri, Adeck Naio, Kori Chan, Matagal Tamilong, Douglas Guise (play-makers), Gina Ponda, Richard Mark, Consie Lumaris, David Eri, Roland Namo, Emmanuel Auru, Karo Kauna, Laseng Pasen, Wesley Benny (runners/finishers).
All players are required to contact the Rugby PNG office on phone 323 4212 for further information.

Ex-Pukpuk passes away

ONE of Papua New Guinea’s unsung heroes that put the Pukpuks on the World Sevens map during the early 90’s has passed away. Sukope Tova kicked his last chip and chase when he surprisingly passed away early yesterday morning. Suks, as he is commonly known, was one of the few that could be described as world class to represent PNG. World class…was how former PNG Sevens coach and former Wallaby winger Brendan Moon once described the rangy footballer from Gulf Province. In recent times that statement is as rare as a Pukpuks qualifying for the World Cup.

As a five-eight, he had the reach of back-rower, could step off both feet, pass effectively on both sides, – often regathered his chip kicks – and had a knack for kicking field-goals to win matches. He didn’t come from a well-off background growing up at borderline at Hohola…but that’s where he learned all the tricks of the trade. As a junior Suks was already stepping out in rugby league when he represented the Junior Kumuls to New Zealand. However it wasn’t until he had a taste for sevens rugby when joined up with the Barbarians and later Brothers and Defence club that he would see his talent go on to take on the world’s best at the Hong Kong Sevens. At that time the Hong Kong Sevens was the premier world event for sevens rugby.

It couldn’t have been more timely as it was also the grooming of another world rated sevens scrum-half, Geoffrey Homerang. The combination was deadly during those years especially when they had a powerful line-up that included classy finishers David Aisoli, Morea Kauna, Aiem Pilokos, Richard Masere, Boudie Meapo, David Pera, George Pitalai, Robin Tarare, David Tiki and Ame Mowagi to name a few. Suks, or Egu, by his teammates, lived a turbulent life on and off rugby to survive in the city. He was a true rugby man that will be missed by his former teammates and family.

A tearful senior rugby development officer Robin Tarere yesterday said: “Suks was one of those few that gave a lot to the development of rugby and took nothing back in return. “I commend him for taking up the initiative to develop future players in his suburb at Hohola during last weeks Rookies sevens…the PNGRFU should recognise that,” he added. Suks was currently heavily involved in the Hohola off-season league before his untimely passing. The last time I saw him was on the bench for the Kerema side that took part in the MRDC Sevens over the weekend. His rugby career took him to Darwin, Singapore, Solomon Islands and Fiji until last representing the Pukpuks in 1995. His humility and cheerful outgoing character was always his best attribute. From nothing he became somebody. Rest in Peace, Hero.

New Era

WOMEN'S rugby is taking off with the announcement of the inaugural Papua New Guinea Raggianas development squad. The squad was named following the highly successful Rookies Sevens tournament for women and Under 19 boys last Thursday and Friday at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby. Rookie Sevens chairperson and womens rugby chief Cybele Druma said that it is hoped that they would be able to send a final PNG Raggianas side to the Darwin Sevens tournament slated for January 20-21 next year. “Sponsorship would play a big role in acquiring that objective though,” she added. She also took the opportunity plead for potential sponsors to contact her on Ph. 323 5251. The resonance of their activity has pitched nationwide. Druma said they received an invitation from Goroka to play.

“Interest continues to grow everyday and we are a determined lot to make this concept work down the track,” she added. It was an eye-opener for both the players and spectators, to say the least. Accustomed to seeing only men getting into the rough stuff is set to be a thing of the past…according to these determined women. The two-day competition for the four teams sought to itemise the best from the rest. Not only did the women come to show they could play, but they also reveled in entertaining the crowd with their newly acquired skills. There were a number of highlights but those that stuck would have to be the one-woman demolition queen Jackie Maso with her big hits and the try-scoring antics of her Stocks & Partners Brumbies team mate Pauline Arazi.

The obvious crowd favourite was Margaret “scruffy” Naua from the NACS & VK Warriors side with team mate and touch-rugby representative Alice Theodore. That’s not to forget the heavy-handed defensive antics of props Cybel Druma and Dorcas Marenjambi who peppered the opposition with their smothering hits. The Island Club Ende Yomba halves combination of Ruth Omenefa and Richanda Kassman was a feature combination which led to the play-off in the final. However, it was the Tisa Nadis combination of Naomi Haro, Joyce Idonis, Susie Tongia and Kylie Benny that stole the show with their ability to create openings to score. Tisa Nadis won K2500 for winning the Cup, Niel Daniel’s Island Club Ende Yomba the Cup runner-up and K500, NACS & VK Warriors in third and Stocks & Partners Brumbies in fourth. In the Under-19 boys, the Cup winners were LaSallians coached by former star PNG Sevens international and former PNGRFU chairman Soiat Williams. LaSallians pocketed K2500 after beating Defence in the Cup final.

The plate winners were Wari Vele Taurama Diggers and Hohola the Bowl winners. Both beat the spirited Elevala Village side and Gerehu Rats respectively. Individual trophies: Best Defender – U19 – Roger Laka, Best Defender – Women – Jackie Maso, Best Attacker – U19 – Andrew Samson, Best Attacker – Women – Richanda Kassman, Top Try Scorer – U19 – Steven Jacob, Top Try Scorer – Women – Pauline Arazi, Most Flamboyant Player – U19 – Ricky Sauaraba, Most Flamboyant Player – Women – Margaret [Scruff] Naua, Rookie of the Tournament – U19 – Arron Kare Rookie of the Tournament – Women – Lydia Evosa, Most Valuable Player (MVP) – U19 – Baron Kengi, Most Valuable Player (MVP) – Naomi Haro. The PNG Raggianas development squad: Naomi Haro, Sarah Tsiamalili, Kila Karara, Lydia Avosa, Jane Buku, Emily Jabb, Cybele Druma, Richanda Kassman, Susanna Tongia, Suzie Kapua, Joyce Mokis, Sylvia Magaru, Fiona Magaru, Rutha Meu Omenefa, Joyce Idonis, Aiyenu Tabua, Kylie Benny, Felicity Paru, Iga Oki, Margaret Naua, Jennifer Tigilai, Alice Theodore, Annabelle Robby.

Menjals triumph, win K20,000

THE Southern Highlands Mendi Menjals threw a spanner in the works when they took centre stage in winning the MRDC Papua New Guinea Sevens Cup and K20,000 prize-money. The Menjals, filtered with SP Cup rugby league Mendi Muruks players, sent the visiting St Joeys Old Boys of Sydney packing with a 35-17 belting in the Cup final at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby yesterday. Both sides — participating as invited teams — sent worrying signals to the rugby hierarchy with their Cup final appearance.

Both sides were, however, deserved finalists after putting on breathtaking performances to brush off New Guinea Islands sides Kavieng and Manus in the Cup semi-finals. The Joeys Old Boys led by Kori Chan, Daniel Lewinski, John Bowman, Tom Freeman and their Port Moresby ring-ins Dominic Livuana, Adeck Naio, Deakan Degoba, Karo Kauna and Lawrence Acanufa were the surprise package. The performance of rising stars in Livuana and Naio begs the question of their omission in the city side. In weekend of surprises traditional top fancies Goroka Kilituas didn’t fire but managed to win the Bowl over Kimbe 45-33, Lae bombed out altogether and Port Moresby could only manage the Plate. Port Moresby beat a determined Alois King Mad Gauns 26-5.

The Menjals were the toast of the two-day rugby spectacular with their evasive rugby, speed and uncanny ability to score tries from anywhere. Skipper Alex Haija and Mendi Muruks star forward Joseph Omai were the only two with rugby playing background . . . but made up for that with their innovative style that crumbled the best of sides. Despite the St Joeys Old Boys opening up with the first try to the stocky Lewinski the latter opened the flood-gates through PNG President’s 13 representatives Wesley Benny, Andy Andrew and Sova Wilfred to lead 15-5 at half-time. The second-half saw no let-up from the Menjals as they toyed with their opponents to score through Haija, Benny and Andrew for their second and the last to George Moni.

Despite two late tries from St Joeys the Southern Highlanders were too strong to hold out for the rousing win. Highlights of the weekend were the exploits of Pukpuk wingers Richard Mark playing for Kavieng and Gina Ponda for Kimbe. Other new stars that shone were Port Moresby utility Emmanuel Auro, Manus flyer David Eri and Kavieng’s Consi Lumaris. The major upset of the weekend was Manus nailing Port Moresby 31-12 on day one. Other centres that took part were Oro, Alotau, Daru, Autonomous Region of Bougainville and invited sides from Tabubil, Kerema and Central. MRDC managing director Francis Kaupa announced that this would be the last national sevens tournament they would sponsor . . . completing a six-year commitment.

Goroka 7s ready

THE Goroka Kilituas are primed to blow all before them for the K20,000 winners pay cheque in this weekend’s Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) National Sevens. Last year Goroka clubs — Silverbacks (Cup winner) and Nokondi Yagunas (Cup runner-up) stole the lime-light to pocket a cool K25,000 from the K32,000 on offer. MRDC has again come good with the total prize-money of K32,000 from a total package of K60,000 from their subsidiary companies Petroleum Resources Kutubu and Kutubu Security Services. This time, the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union (PNGRFU) has changed the format for only provincial sides to participate.

Other centres taking part are Lae, Daru, Popondetta, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Kimbe, Manus, Madang, Alotau and hosts Port Moresby. The invited teams are Tabubil, Mendi, Kerema, Brisbane PNG Boys, Central and the only overseas side Sydney Joeys Old Boys. For Goroka, going on their win last year they are definite pre-post favourites. The crack squad is filtered with a wealth of experience from former and current PNG Sevens representatives to throw the challenge down at the Lloyd Robson Oval over the next two days.

Joeys return

FIVE old boys from St Joseph’s college association in Australia visited East New Britain to conduct a one-day rugby union clinic to 10 and 12-year-old school students.
The boys included Kori Chan, Tom Freeman, Daniel Lewinski, Jono Bowman and Ben Fitzpatrick.
The boys also took part in the MRDC rugby union sevens where they finished second, losing to Mendi Menjals in the cup final.
The boys’ trip was sponsored by the Macquarie Bank, Tropicana, Lings Freezers, South Sea Horizons and MRDC.
They arrived in the province last week Monday and started the clinic at the OLSH international school and Rabaul Sacred Heart International.
More than 125 students from various schools in the province took part in the clinic.
Team leader Tom Freeman said they normally do camps through out Australia.
He said last year they went to Tonga but this year through contacts with Kori Chan who was brought up in Rabaul and a former student at the St Joseph College decided to come to Rabaul.
Freeman who works for the Macquarie Bank said the connections with Chan set a level of trust.
The law and order problem faced in the country was not a hindrance for them to come to the province.
They returned to Port Moresby last week Thursday and flew back to Australia on the same day.