PNG teams qualify for World Cup
The Papua New Guinea men and women’s teams have qualified as Oceania 1 for the World Sevens Series qualifiers in Hong Kong and the Rugby Sevens World Cup next year. PNG men’s coach Douglas Guise said yesterday it was a special occasion not only for both teams but for their country as well.
“It’s probably the first of its kind for sports in PNG in general. I don’t think any sport whether it be cricket, rugby or rugby league have two teams actually qualified for the World Cup,” Guise said. The no-nonsense coach said they lifted their performance after a worrying performance on Friday.
The PNG men’s side copped yellow cards in their clash against minnows Tuvalu which angered Guise.
Both teams have qualified as the 16th team for the Sydney leg of the World Sevens Series and the Hong Kong 7s series qualifiers.
However, only the men’s team qualify for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
“It is a big achievement for us especially coming through the hardships we had to face.
It is a testament to the players hard work and love for the game.
“We don’t really have a sponsor. We have just been living off family and friends. This is a big achievement for us and I would like for them to enjoy it,” he said. The men came fifth beating Cook Islands 32-0 while the women came fourth losing 39-0 to Fijiana. Meanwhile, Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s captain Ana Maria Roqica said they need to work hard before next month’s Dubai tournament.