Oceania Rugby conveys its deepest sympathies and condolences on the sudden passing of former Pukpuks Player and Captain and current Pukpuk 7’s Coach Douglas Guise.
Guise was the coach behind the recent success the Pukpuks 7’s team has enjoyed including their first appearance at a Rugby World Cup Sevens.
Oceania Rugby President, Richard Sapias said “PNG Rugby Union have lost a true patron of Rugby in Douglas Guise, his infectious smile and never-ending passion for the game will be remembered by all who were fortunate to face him both on and off the field.”
“You could spend hours with Dougie discussing his philosophical views on Pacific Rugby, which he would always back up with actions in PNG. His impact on Rugby in Papua New Guinea will leave a legacy on many levels.”
Bruce Cook General Manager of Oceania Rugby said “Dougie was one of the first coaches in Oceania to bring his 7’s team to a special Oceania High Performance 7’s camp, enroute to the Hong Kong Sevens. This camp was conducted by highly acclaimed NZ Coach Willie Rickards who saw in Dougie a coach for the future of the PNG 7s team.”
Guise was motivated to instil in the Pukpuks teams a belief that they could beat full-time High-Performance teams. This included having the team camp at his house to in preparation for major Qualification tournaments, to keeping that belief at the core of their preparations.
“Dougie was a good friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him” Cook added.
Further to his commitment to the National team Guise was also a passionate Club and Community rugby patron, his involvement include:
Club
Harlequins: 1999-2003
Brothers: 2004, 2006-2010
University: 2005
Nova: 2011-2019
Kavieng Drongos: 2003-2005
AC7s: 2009-2014
PNG Regional Super 4s
NGIslanders: 2004
Southern Traders:2005-2006
National Caps:
Sevens
World Barbarian 7s: 2001
PNG Pukpuks 7s Team: 2003-2005, 2010 Commonwealth Games (Delhi India: Bowl Winners)
15s (National)
PNG Pukpuks 15s: 2005-2009, 2013
PNG Pukpuks 7s -Coaching History:
Assistant Coach: 2015
Head Coach: 2016-2021
Includes 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and San Francisco RWC7s.
