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This weekend’s New Zealand Sevens in Wellington will mark a memorable occasion for one man in particular.

Sevens legend Waisale Serevi scored 1310 points in the IRB Sevens World Series for Fiji, as well as leading them to two Rugby World Cup Sevens titles.

But this weekend will see Serevi coach Papua New Guinea against the country he also famously coached to their sole World Series title.

At 17:24 (local time) on Friday, in the second round of pool matches, the Westpac Stadium will see Serevi’s charges line up against the side that currently sit behind New Zealand on the circuit log after their final appearance in George.

The Puk Puks will face off against many of their coaches former teammates in Pool B, and Serevi believes the occasion will be one to relish.

"I didn't expect for Papua New Guinea to come back into the circuit so quickly and then meet Fiji head-on," said Serevi. 

"I think there's no other team that the PNG players want to play against more than Fiji. Not because I am going to be up against them, but just to know where we are in international rugby.

"To win or lose is not a big issue for us. We've been away for the last couple of years, not playing at international level.”

Not making up the numbers

Despite having not played on the circuit in this time, since Serevi was appointed coach of PNG in November he has been preparing them for such an occasion.

As well as taking part in the Pacific Mini Games, the Puk Puks were invited to play in the inaugural Gold Coast International Sevens and in an exhibition tournament at the Sri Lanka Sevens – part of the inaugural Asian Series.

The side was also involved in the Suva Festival in Fiji and there is a real interest in the world of Sevens to see how PNG fare this weekend – especially with Serevi at the healm.

"This is the top level of competition so, as I always say, when you're given a task to do, it's in your hands. Do it with all your might."

"We don't want to come here only to make up the numbers. We're here to make a big bang in Wellington,” Serevi told the IRB.

"The training and all the things we've been doing for the last couple of months, it's all for our first game against Australia. We're targeting them first.

"After that we'll look at the others, drink some water, take a rest and think about the next game in the tournament."

The overwhelming impression is that the old maestro is just pleased to be back among the Sevens fold, and for everyone else, his mere presence always excites.