The PNG Kumuls have had a dream start to their World Cup campaign, beating Wales 50-6 in front of their home fans at a packed National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
The Kumuls scored 10 tries to 1 over a shell-shocked Welsh side, who simply couldn’t match the physicality of the Kumuls in both attack and defence.
Wales were overwhelmed in hot conditions that they wouldn’t be used to playing in, and the Kumuls showed how much they have developed in the past few years.
PNG scored five unanswered first half tries, with captain David Mead scoring two in the first ten minutes after running off great balls both times from five-eighth Ase Boas.
Centre Nene McDonald then used his size and strength to barge his way over for their third try in the 22nd minute.
Five minutes before half-time, Mead sparked the Kumuls attack again with a break up the middle. On the following tackle, halfback Watson Boas put in a deft kick for centre Kato Ottio to score.
PNG were in again three minutes later, with big interchange forward Wellington Albert scoring beside the posts.
The only controversy of the first half was a biting allegation against Albert, who has been placed on report.
It didn’t take long for the Kumuls to continue their try-scoring rampage in the second half, with backrower Rhyse Martin crossing twice in the first ten minutes.
Martin had a strong game, and six minutes later he put a grubber through for big winger Justin Olam to score put wide.
Mead then grabbed his third try of the game after grounding a James Segeyaro grubber. Segeyaro came off the interchange bench for this match, and had a field day when he came on.
PNG lock Paul Aiton crossed beside the posts with ten minutes to go and Martin converted to bring up the Kumuls half-century.
Wales got a consolation try right on full-time when winger Rhys Williams pounced on a cross-field kick that was spilt by Kumuls winger Garry Lo.
The PNG fans were in raptures over their team’s performance, and no doubt will fill the stands again when they take on Ireland at the same venue in Port Moresby next week.
Wales on the other hand have to face Fiji next week in Townsville, which won’t be any easier.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
This effort just about summed up the Dragons' defence against the Warriors. They held their opponents to their equal-lowest score this season in a…
Zac Lomax has added further to his Origin case with another strong performance in the Dragons' stunning 30-12 boilover win over the Warriors in…
Not what the Warriors needed down 22-6... Roger Tuivasa-Sheck not only ruined his side's chances of pinching the ball back but gifted the Dragons…
The Dragons star became the eighth player to nail a two-point field goal since its introduction and the Fox League crew were highly impressed.…
You've got to try your luck! Hame Sele has only scored two tries in his career - and the Dragons forward tried his best…
Have to show off that footwork! The Warriors star opened the scoring in Wollongong, crossing over untouched and improving his goal-kicking position.
