3 Feb 2017

Sport: Daunting debut for PNG women’s 7s team

1:09 pm on 3 February 2017

Papua New Guinea face a daunting start to their debut appearance on the Women's World Sevens Series.

The Palais take on series leaders and Olympic silver medalists New Zealand in their first match at the Sydney Sevens this afternoon.

They will also face Olympic bronze medallists Canada and France, who finished fifth on last season's World Series, in Pool A.

PNG men's sevens coach Dougie Guise said it was a massive moment for the rugby in the country.

"Both men and women on the world stage so it should be a big boost for the people back at home," he said.

Thumbs up to the ladies and the women qualifying [for the Sydney Sevens] - they had a really good tournament in Fiji qualifying for this World Series.

"They've also got the Hong Kong [tournament to look forward to] so yeah very proud of the girls [and] what they've achieved over the last year or so."

The John Larry coached Palais join World Series regulars Fiji in the Sydney tournament.

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Photo: World Rugby

Fijiana coach Iliesa Tanivula said it was great to

The Fijiana coach Iliesa Tanivula said PNG deserve their place after impressing during their third place finish at the Oceania Championship in Suva in December.

"It's always a pleasure to have other Pacific [teams] come on board and learn how to compete at this level and try and win tournaments."

The Fijiana are targeting a top-four finish and face Ireland, Brazil and Olympic champions Australia in pool play.