The Australians proved far too strong for PNG in the Prime Minister’s XIII game in Port Moresby. Photo: HANDOUT/NRL PHOTOS
A rag-tag Australian side has outclassed Papua New Guinea 60-10 in the annual Prime Minister’s XIII clash in Port Moresby.
The Australians scored 11 tries and exposed the PNG side’s defensive frailties almost at will in what was the 20th men’s Prime Minister’s XIII match.
It was hardly a conventional game at Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday, with Australia switching on and off as players became accustomed to their makeshift position.
Ezra Mam was a constant scoring threat in the Australians’ win over the PNG outfit. (HANDOUT/NRL PHOTOS)
Ezra Mam spent time at fullback. Jock Madden appeared to be playing on an edge. Jamal Fogarty stood in the centres, and Josh Curran kicked a goal.
At one stage they had three regular hookers on the field.
In one piece of consistency, captain David Fifita started and finished the match as a devastating left centre.
Commentator Cooper Cronk mused it was coach Ben Teo’s way of keeping the Aussies engaged after a long, hard season.
It was at times chaotic and they dropped the ball a lot, but it was fun. Less so for the PNG side, who were not just outclassed but also ill-disciplined, missing 47 tackles – 28 in the first half alone.
With the PNG Chiefs’ arrival in the NRL fast approaching, it is clear the next level of local players are still a long way from that standard.
On a positive note, earlier on Saturday the Junior Kumuls scored a historic first win over the Australian Schoolboys, 18-10.
In the men’s game, Mam opened the scoring for Australia inside four minutes after Lachlan Galvin put Toby Couchman through a yawning hole.
Billy Walters used a trademark show-and-go to grab Australia’s second, and after Tom Hazelton smashed his way 50 metres downfield, fullback Jaxon Purdue was able to glide across the line.
There was plenty of local interest in the annual PM’s XIII match in Port Moresby. (HANDOUT/NRL PHOTOS)
Nick Meaney scored the next four-pointer, and Australia had a 20-0 lead before the clock had reached 14 minutes.
Mam, Hazelton and Tallyn Da Silva crossed late in the first half to send Teo’s side into the break leading 38-0.
Mam kicked off the scoring in the second half too – literally – using a chip-and-chase to bamboozle the PNG defence.
Tom Chester scored next, then Purdue, before Sylvester Namo upset the apple cart to score PNG’s first in the 68th minute.
Minutes later Jeremaiah Ben added another as Australia’s defence became as loose as their attack.
If Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters hasn’t settled on his squad for this month’s Rugby League World Cup, several players put their hands up.
Regular back-rower Fifita, who showed his class and power in the centres on Saturday, first appeared in the PM’s XIII game seven years ago and looked destined for higher honours that never arrived. Maybe that time is approaching again.
David Fifita led the Australians with aplomb in their easy win over the PNG outfit. (HANDOUT/NRL PHOTOS)
Mam and fellow half Galvin showed more than one glimpse of their brilliance, while hulking front-rower Hazelton was one of the best players on the field.
For former NRL and current London Broncos coach Jason Demetriou, who will guide the PNG Kumuls at the World Cup, there was not a lot to love.
Namo should be there, while uncapped centre Stanford Talita and fullback Sanny Wabo were dangerous at times and could find their way into Demetriou’s squad.
Australian Associated Press
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