Papua New Guinea face a bumper 2018 after excelling at the Oceania Sevens Championship over the weekend, with both the men's and women's teams qualifying for the Commonwealth Games, World Cup and numerous World Series events.
The Pukpuks finished fifth overall in Suva to secure a spot at the Sydney and Hamilton legs of the Men's World Series, with the Palais were granted an invitation to the Sydney leg of the Women's World Series after reaching the semi finals.
PNG Palais captain Joanne Lagona takes on the Australian defence. Photo: Oceania Rugby
Both teams will also take part in the World Series Qualifier in Hong Kong in April, a week before competing at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Meanwhile both the men and women will take part in the Rugby World Cup Sevens for the first time in San Francisco in July.
PNG men's coach Dougie Guise admitted to some relief after confirming their place at a host of major events.
"We've always thought of ourselves as a genuine contender - whether it be Oceania when we get the HSBC Sevens Series," he said.
"I think we were hard done by early on in the quarter finals but we always knew in our wish we are a top-notch team I reckon.
"Given the right support I reckon we'd give some of these bigger nations a good run."
PNG are bound for the Sevens World Cup, Commonwealth Games and World Series events in Sydney and Hamilton. Photo: Oceania Rugby
Women's captain Joanne Lagona said the team achieved more than they expected.
"To qualify for the World Cup it's really hard to train and come...I'm really excited and it's really challenging," she said.
"We didn't think we'd be coming this far and it's a bonus for the team and we are looking forward to (attending the World Cup)."
Fiji men, New Zealand women prevail in Suva
Fiji defended the Oceania men's title by outclassing New Zealand in the final 26-0 in Suva, while New Zealand edged Australia 12-5 in the women's decider.
OIympic champions Fiji have also played tournaments in Germany, Australia and the United States over the past month and half as they prepare for the start of the new World Series campaign.
The Fiji men retained the Oceania 7s title. Photo: Oceania Rugby
Coach Gareth Baber said his thoughts were starting to crystalise on who will be selected for the opening round in Dubai at the start of next month.
"There's always a couple of names that are bouncing around and you're thinking could they potentially move forward but I've been pleased to see some younger players as well pushing their case," he said.
"Coming into the Oceania tournament it was good to see the quality that we are able to produce and it was good to see one or two of those young players standing up and pushing their claim as well to a Fijian jersey for a series event and/or Commonwealth Games/World Cup.
"The job's not finished by any stretch but I'm in a lot more knowledgeable place now than I was eight/nine months ago when it was all sort of fighting fires and trying to put teams on field and not quite knowing some of the personnel so it's been a good process."
New Zealand won the women's Oceania title. Photo: Oceania Rugby
