PNG V PM XIII

[Marv]

www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26071164-5018866,00.html

Prime MInister's XIII: Josh Dugan (Canberra), Nathan Merritt (South Sydney), Michael Jennings (Penrith), Joel Monaghan (Canberra), David Williams (Manly), Terry Campese (Canberra), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith-capt), Robbie Farah (Wests), Keith Galloway (Wests), Trent Waterhouse (Penrith), Luke O'Donnell (North Queensland), Paul Gallen (Cronulla). Interchange: Luke Lewis (Penrith), Dave Shillington (Canberra), Nate Myles (Roosters), Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Canberra), Adam MacDougall (Newcastle) .

[beez]

Pretty solid team there, good to see Dugan get a spot.

Are these games ever televised? If PNG are serious about being in the NRL then they need to show they can provide quality coverage of home games.

[jim]

Strong side, but it always is. I'm tipping a close game PMXIII by 12.

Would be absolutely terrific if they could televise this game, I should get on fox's case about it again, same with the european and pacific cups. Probably won't do jack but there's no harm in trying.

I agree with beez that it would help their NRL bid aspirations if they presented a well delivered coverage of the game and offered a feed to Fox and channel 9.

[jim]

PNG sides anyone?

1. David Mead
2. Michael Mark
3. Menzie Yere
4. Tu’u Maori
5. John Wilshere
6. Jessie Joe
7. Keith Peters
8. Makali Aizue
9. Paul Aiton
10. Trevor Exton
11. Jason Chan
12. Neville Costigan
13. Stanley Gene
14. Charlie Wabo
15. Rodney Griffin
16. Rodney Pora
17. James Nightingale

[Marv]

You have to wonder about the gene and azui, if HKR are still in the play offs.

[jim]

On today is it not?

[sportsmad]

PM's XIII beat Papua New Guinea 42-18
September 27, 2009 - 5:34PM

Michael Jennings provided the fireworks on the field and police fired the traditional round of tear gas at fans as the Australian Prime Minister's XIII beat Papua New Guinea 42-18 on Sunday.

Jennings scored a hat-trick of tries at Lloyd Robson Oval before a sell-out crowd of about 5,000 fans, with plenty more outside the gates.

The NSW and Penrith centre scored two tries in a row in the first half then the last try in the Australian side's patchy display.

Coach Mal Meninga said his side's scrappy performance was due to limited preparation.

"Everyone had a go," he said.

"It wasn't the prettiest game but it was a good work out for the boys, I'm sure they'll be nice and sore tomorrow.

"We've only had two sessions together but it was a very spirited display, from both sides," he said.

"Michael Jennings has a tendency to score hat-tricks. He's lightning fast, good with the ball and I think today defended pretty good as well."

Prop David Schillington scored the first of the Australian side's seven tries and captain Johnathan Thurston slotted home seven of seven conversion attempts in front of 5000 fans.

The PM's team started strongly with three quick tries simply outclassing the PNG Kumuls but were caught napping 30 minutes in and PNG returned favour with two soft tries.

The visiting team's 18-12 halftime lead then stretched in the second half as PNG's infamous physical game failed to pay dividends. The home side were penalised four times for spear tackles.

The Kumuls looked good in the second half, cruelly teasing their fans with several failed chances and missed opportunities.

Slowly the home side's resistance crumbled and the Australian side ran away with four more tries to PNG's one.

PNG coach Adrian Lam said the team's young players showed great promise.

"PNG's future looks good, we're well-positioned with the young fellas," he said.

"All the 19-year-olds went really well."

Lam singled out Tyson Martin, Kerry Tapako and Sigfred Gande as PNG stand outs.

"Our completion rate was poor. We just couldn't hold onto the ball, we dropped it too many times," he said.

"We've improved definitely, as a team and on last year, even the knowledge of the plays, our attitude, it's really getting there."

Outside the ground, police regularly fired tear gas and live rounds as warnings to excited fans who didn't have a ticket but wanted to catch a glimpse of their Aussie heroes.