The Defence Rugby Union Club (DRUC) is preparing to compete in the Cairns 7s tournament in Queensland, Australia later this year.
DRUC 7s Coach, Corporal Suang Liebert, described the opportunity as a major step forward for the club, which has mainly competed in local tournaments across Papua New Guinea (PNG).
“It’s the first of its kind for the club to have an invitation from an overseas tournament. Everyone is excited about it,” Liebert said.
The club, made up of both Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel and civilians, hopes to showcase discipline, teamwork and PNG pride on the international stage.
Liebert said the soldiers within the team bring a unique mindset developed through military training that helps motivate the entire squad.
“The soldiers are trained to go into battlefields, and they bring that mindset into the team to motivate and help the civilian players and the team as a whole,” he said.
Discipline remains one of the club’s key values. Liebert explained that DRUC operates under the PNGDF umbrella, with military ethics and disciplinary standards adapted into the rugby environment.
“The management always reminds players to stay disciplined and be good ambassadors and representatives for the club,” he said.
He added that the club has recently strengthened its focus on discipline following a suspension incident, with management enforcing stricter player conduct measures.
“The management is utilizing every means to bring discipline and change the mindset of every individual player,” Liebert stated.
The coach said balancing rugby with work, military duties, school and family responsibilities continues to be one of the biggest challenges for players.
“Basically it comes down to time management and scheduling priorities,” he said.
Liebert said the Cairns tournament will provide valuable international exposure for players, coaches and management.
“It will be a good experience for our players to compete against great athletes, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and improve their game style,” he said.
Known for their aggressive style of rugby, DRUC players carry the club motto “Maintain Smash” before every match.
Liebert also stressed the importance of mental preparation, encouraging players to take care of family, school, and personal responsibilities before game day.
“When those things are taken care of, players will be mentally prepared for the game,” he said.
During matches, players are encouraged to trust their training, stick to team structures, and support one another under pressure.
Beyond rugby, the club hopes to inspire younger players and promote Papua New Guinea’s culture during the tournament.
“One of the long-term goals for the club is to inspire and build young juniors to become disciplined and better rugby players in the future,” Liebert said.
“In DRUC, we not only train rugby but also encourage players to apply the same principles in life to become better people in the future.”
