Aussies too good

By ISAAC LIRI
The Australian Prime Minister’s 13 proved too strong for hosts Papua New Guinea on Saturday thrashing the hosts 58-0 in front of more than 15,000 people at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
PNG PM’s 13 coach Michael Marum commended his men for putting in the effort but admitted after the game that they were simply out-gunned by a superior Australian side.
“The effort was definitely there from my guys. I’m proud of them. But you can’t compete with a quality side like Australia,” Marum said.
“Our halves combination didn’t really click but the truth is this was a side made of Digicel Cup players and some Hunters and for PNG to compete against the best our guys need to be playing in the NRL and Super League because that’s the standard we need to be at.”
Marum, pictured, who is also the Kumuls coach, said it was a learning experience for the players and that was the biggest positive to take from the game.
“We didn’t play well all throughout the game. I think we started off pretty badly, we allowed them to score in the opening minutes and then we just couldn’t stop them from there,” the 42-year-old said.
“We had a couple of chances but we just didn’t complete our sets, we made a lot of errors and gave away a lot of penalties.”
However, the Australian PM’s 13 coach Mal Meninga was positive in his assessment of the host’s effort.
He said a side made up of players in the Intrust Super Cup and Digicel Cup, PNG played with a spirited effort and great attitude.
“Playing against one of the best teams in the world, we came here with a purpose, we come here as a legitimate trial match for selections into the Four Nationsand the Rugby League World Cup next year, so we came here with a lot of intent and wanted to play well, so we had a lot on the line from a motivational point of view,” Meninga said.
Meninga also gave credit to some PNG players who stood up and gave their best for their country.
“I think PNG unearthed some of its players, the halfback was pretty good. Justin Olam was fantastic and I think the future of Papua New Guinea rugby league is still bright.”
Although the scoreline was one sided in favour of the visitors, the crowd enjoyed the occasion especially getting to see their favourite NRL stars.
The Australian right edge was on fire in the early stages with Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson scoring two early converted tries and after twenty minutes of action the Australians led 12-0.
Fijian native Semi Radradra crossed in the corner in the 26th minute but Mitchell Moses failed to convert and just a minute before the break, Australian captain Greg Inglis scored and Moses added the extras making the halftime score 22-0.
The second half started off tense with both sides making errors until the visitors got some field possession and Inglis scored a remarkable try in the corner with a backflip, and in the 61st minute St George Illawarra star Josh Dugan got another four-pointer in the corner and Matt Moylan converted.
With energy levels fading for the home side, Tyson Frizell scored the easiest of tries with 17 minutes remaining on the clock.  Two minutes later young Mitchell Moses grabbed one for himself and with seven minutes remaining on the clock Ferguson snatched his third try which Moylan converted taking them to the 50 mark.
On the 76th minute Moses Mybe scored and Mitchell Moses got his second try with seconds remaining before full time.
Although the score was heart breaking, the home side held their heads up as captain Bernard Goma said after the game that it was a learning process for them especially against a team with a lot of class.
“Most of us are debutants and this game was a good experience for us.”
Inglis praised the PNG side for their efforts in playing them all throughout the 80 minutes.
PNG 0 Australia 58 (Blake Ferguson 2, Greg Inglis 2, Mitchell Moses 2, Josh Dugan 2, Moses Mbye, Semi Radradra, Tyson Frizell tries; Moses 3 con, Matt Moylan 4 con) at NFS, Port Moresby. H/T: 0-22 Australia. Crowd: 15,011.