THE Rugby community in Papua New Guinea is mourning the sudden death of former PNG Pukpuks stalwart Douglas Guise.
The PNG Pukpuks player who later went on to become the Coach of the PNG Pukpuks men’s 7s team passed away while coaching his local club Nova.
Guise 40, had a colourful playing career representing the PNG Pukpuks (15s) team, however his distinguished service as a PNG Pukpuks 7s player and later as Coach at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series over a long period of time will be treasured.
Under his tenure he has moulded and shaped a lot of raw talents who went on to playe in the international scene putting PNG on the world map.
He has groom players of smaller rugby playing centres such as Henry Kalua, Wesley Vali, Arthur Clement, Hensley Peter, and Eugene Tokavai who went on to become the some of PNGs rugby 7s players.
He began his playing career with the Port Moresby Harlequins club before joining Brothers, Wanders and eventually played a key role in the establishment of Nova Rugby Club.
During his playing career he was passionate about winning and stood through to be a winner in the game.
He served well as a player and coach representing Papua New Guinea. His journey as a PNG 7s player began when he led his local native team New Ireland Drongos to a successful victory in the MRDC Sevens back in 2004.
The rugby fraternity is mourning the tragic loss of a young man who sacrificed a lot for the game he loved. The cause of his death is yet to be established.
Guise is from Lalaura village, Abau in the Central province and Munawai village in Kavieng, New Ireland province.