Prime Ministers XIII vs PNG

[DIEHARD]

Watch out for rising Kumuls: Lam

EXCITED Papua New Guinea coach Adrian Lam has warned the Prime Minister's XIII that his Kumuls are getting closer to an historic victory over an Australian team.

The visiting Australians can expect to face both the flair and physical challenge from the home side in Sunday's clash in Port Moresby.

Lam admits he still faces a hurdle with players tending to hero-worship NRL stars but says the local team has also made great progress in recent times.

"The hardest part is having a function before the game and all your players are getting autographs of the opposition,'' he said. "That's a bit awkward.

"But this week at training I had goose bumps, and I showed them to the boys, because when I first played here in 1993 to where they are now is just incredible,'' he said. "We have come forward, we still haven't beaten Australia and we're striving to do that."

Lam admits it's a tough challenge to beat PM's XIII coach Mal Meninga's team of seasoned NRL players but reflects on his team's 2008 World Cup campaign in Australia where they proved they were developing into a formidable league force.

"PNG's biggest strength is the ability to be flamboyant and to throw a ball out of the ****, so to speak,'' he said. "To off load in places you normally wouldn't and have the ability to go 100 metres for a try,'' he said.

"We've worked really hard on that, keeping the flamboyancy but keeping the discipline and a defensive structure that can hold up the best in the world,'' he said.

The Australian side arrives in Port Moresby on Friday afternoon for the annual clash that last year saw Australia beat PNG 53-30. North Queensland Cowboys forward Tyson Martin has made his first trip to PNG to be on debut for the Kumuls.

Lam said Tyson, 19, a refrigerator repairman, is one to watch despite starting on the bench.

Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au

[jenwood]

Does anyone know if this game will be televised? Fox maybe????

[DIEHARD]

Does anyone know if this game will be televised? Fox maybe????

Unfortunately not, as much as I wish it was and believe there is merit in it.

At least it would also give the fans of clubs who are out of the Finals a chance to possibly see some of their players.

[jenwood]

Thanks for the reply

[DIEHARD]

PM's XIII beat Papua New Guinea 42-18

PORT MORESBY

A hat-trick of tries for Michael Jennings helped the Australian Prime Minister's XIII comfortably beat Papua New Guinea 42-18 at Lloyd Robson Oval on Sunday.

In a scrappy performance Australia outclassed PNG's Kumuls but it wasn't their brilliance that beat PNG's brawn.

Australia capitalised on numerous mistakes by the PNG side with several soft tries for the youngsters.

Australia led 18-12 at halftime.

Captain Johnathan Thurston, crowd favourite, finished with seven conversions from Australia's seven tries.

PNG's second rower Sigfred Gande gave the crowd something to smile about 10 minutes from half time with a strong run and four-pointer.

Five minutes later PNG reserve Tommy Butterfield scooted out of dummy half for a pushover try that had caught the Aussies napping.

Police fired tear gas and several live rounds as warnings to excited fans who didn't have a ticket but wanted to catch a glimpse of their Aussie heroes.
The crowd was a sell out 5,000.

http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au