The MRDC PNG Pukpuksfinished in the top 4 of the 2017 Hong Kong 7s Qualifiers, bowing out to eventual winners Spain 21-12 in the semi-finals.
The Pukpuks pose with their new uniforms
In their semi-final match, the national side overcame a 21-0 deficit at half-time with tries from Wesley Vali and Willie Thirang, to close the gap on Spain, but it was too little too late. Spain went on to beat Germany 12-7 in the final to earn a spot in the elite World 7s Series among top teams in the likes of Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and England.
Meanwhile, of the 12-man MRDC PNG Pukpuks side that featured in the Hong Kong 7s qualifiers, Vali finished as top points scorer with 28 points from four tries and four conversions. Gairo Kapana finished as second points scorer with three tries at 15 points. The side’s participation sponsorship by MRDC marks another milestone under the leadership of Managing Director Augustine Mano. 12-man MRDC PNG Pukpuks 7s squad to the 2017 Hong Kong 7s Qualifiers:
- Henry Kalua (ENBP-Co-captain),
- Authur Clement (ENBPCo-captain),
- Gairo Kapana(Central), Willie Thirang
- (ENBP), Wesley Vali (Mendi),
- Dean Manale (CRU), Hensley Peters (ENBP),
- Nathan Baramun (AROB)
- Patrick Tatut Junior (Manus),
- Eugene Tokavai (ENBP)
- Freddie Rova (Central) and;
- Emmanuel Guise (CRU).
Hong Kong 7s Qualifiers Scorers
PNG Pukpuks 12-21 Spain
2017 HK 7s Qualifiers Semi-Final
Half-Time: 0-21
Scorers: Tries – W.Vali, W Tirang;
Conversions: W.Vali, E Tokavai (Missed)
PNG Pukpuks 14 – 10 Uganda
2017 HK 7s Qualifiers Quarterfinal
Half-Time: 7 – 10
Scorers: Tries: AA Clement, G Kapana
Conversions: EC Guise (2)
PNG Pukpuks 0 – 15 Spain
2017 HK 7s Qualifiers Match 3
Half-Time: 0-0
PNG Pukpuks 31 – 5 Guyana
2017 HK 7s Qualifiers Match 2
Half-Time: 19 – 0
Scorers: Tries: H Kalua, G Kapana
(2), F Rova, W Vali;
Conversions: W Vali (3), W Vali (missed), EC Guise (missed)
PNG Pukpuks 26 – 21 Uruguay
2017 HK 7s Qualifiers Match 1
Half-Time: 14-7
Scorers: Tries: AA Clement, W Vali (2), H Peter;
Conversions: AA Clement, EC Guise(2) EC Guise (missed)