Wednesday 22 November 2006

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.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good luck Boys, I know that the last years have not been too good. But really hoping that we can go a step better this time round.

Anonymous said...

As a Sydney based first grade player in the club rugby , I'm in search for contacts with anyone associated with the selection of the PNG Rugby Sevens Team.

If you do have any information, please feel free to e-mail me on this address below: roland21_4@hotmail.com

Your help and response will be appreciated. Roland Herea

pomrugby said...

Roland you can contact the CEO of PNG Rugby, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, on 323 4212 or you can email him at rugbypng@global.net.pg

Anonymous said...

Thanks alot for your help Pomrugby. Roland H

pomrugby said...

No problem at all, by the way spread the word around to as many Papua New Guineans in Australia about the rugby blog. Also let us know if you have stories in Australia that we can put on this blog.

Emmanuel Narokobi
POM Rugby

Anonymous said...

No worries Emmanuel, I will certainly get the massage out to my mates. Hey Emmanuel, if you could remember me from the University Piggies under 19 team that won the premiership in 1999. I played alongside Deacon Degoba, Omega, Nou and many more boys. We were the only team to win except for the 21's and 1'st grade. Anyway, Emmanuel do have an e-mail address that I can stay in touch. I would like to make myself available for selection to any IRB tournaments that are coming up. Quick updates, I've been in the Aussie Sevens training squad for the last two years but still hav'nt played a tournament yet. Lately the whole training squad had been suspended because players demanding for payrise. I will be at Darwin for the sevens tournament in January, hopefully I'll talk to someone from Pomrugby. There's articles of me on the web if you log my name on google. Pleasure to hear from you, kind regards; Roland Herea