Coach Bennett says his players have underachieved

By ROBINSON LEKA
Coach Wayne Bennett said the Great Britain Lions had underachieved following their 10-28 loss to the Papua New Guinea Kumuls at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The loss capped off a four-match winless tour of the South Hemisphere for Wayne Bennett’s men.
Bennett pointed out that an ordinary second-half performance from his side with poor handling and completion were the difference between PNG and the Lions.
“Great tries and great moments so I look at that side of it and I’m pleased with it,” he said.
“(With) our performance, I’m disappointed. We’ve underachieved and didn’t have a great tour.
“That’s what we’ve got to get better at, completing our sets properly.
“At the end of the day, it was a wonderful game of football, everybody was thoroughly entertained.”
Despite a winless tour, Bennett praised the amount of talent from Pacific Island nations.
The South Sydney coach said the tour was one of the hardest campaigns for a British side, thanks in part to the growth of the sport in the region.
“You’ve seen the news of Tonga, you’ve seen how much your team (PNG) have improved,” the former Brisbane, St George and Newcastle mentor said.
“You (PNG) play in the state league which we’re a part of up till six years ago. Samoa are much improved, the boys want to play for their countries now while we’ve got to swallow a bitter pill.
“It’s a very humbling experience to be here.
“Great appreciation and great love for PNG.
“The people are wonderful, very generous and happy. Great hospitality and I’m always happy to come here and play.”