PM's XII made to fight for PNG win

Willie Tonga and Akuila Uate bolstered their selection hopes for next month’s Four Nations tournament with strong performances in the Prime Minister’s XIII’s 30-18 win over Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Sunday.

Fiji-born Uate, who has only expressed his desire to play for both NSW and Australia this year, scored an impressive try along with North Queensland centre Tonga, who crossed from the final play of the game in a hard-fought clash at a packed Lloyd Robson Oval.

Australia scored six tries to PNG’s three and spent a great deal of the game holding out the spirited Kumuls.

Parramatta’s Ben Smith went over Australia’s first and only first-half try while South Sydney halfback Chris Sandow scored a brilliant effort from a PNG kick-off and Tonga scored on the full-time siren.

Cronulla props Kade Snowden and Luke Douglas also crossed for four-pointers, with skipper Corey Parker kicking three goals.

The Kumuls held the Kangaroos to a 4-0 half-time lead, but the tourists’ superior fitness and experience told in the second half.

Hot conditions saw the game altered into 20 minute quarters for drinks breaks but the heat was also applied with PNG’s aggressive play.

Australia coach Mal Meninga said Tonga and Newcastle’s Uate impressed him and he also praised Parker’s role in uniting the team in difficult conditions.

“Lets hope they take that spirit into the Four Nations,” Meninga said.

“We did a lot of defence today and the boys should be happy because they really had a good attitude and I am happy with the how they handled the game,” he said.

Parker did not want to single out any stand out performers, saying it was a team effort.

“We knew they would be hard, we knew they would be physical,” the Brisbane lock said.

“The conditions are bloody hot, to the boys’ credit we hung in there and come away with a win.

“Early we didn’t get a good run and we didn’t help ourselves with the drop balls but you can put that down to a bit of heat and slipperiness.

“They’re a great team the Kumuls, this was good preparation for the Four Nations,” he said.

Making his coaching debut for PNG, UK-based Stanley Gene said the Kumuls should be proud of their efforts.

“I am really pleased with what I saw,” he said.

“Four points down after 40 minutes against the Australians is a good result but when PNG plays against Australia we never keep to 80 mins and sometimes we fall asleep.

“A few second asleep and it changes the game and that’s what I hope to work on for the Four Nations.

“Most of these boys are PNG home-grown players and only two players who have played in Australia, so I am very proud of what they achieved today,” he said.

“Rodney Griffin, prop Joe Pombo, winger Michael Mark and captain Paul Aiton, played really well,” he said.