2025 UK Pre-Season Friendlies
29 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
The Great Britain Lions will return home after a four-match tour with no wins after being taken apart in a superb second half performance by the Papua New Guinea Kumuls.
After some solid possession stints early, PNG wilted a little with Great Britain taking control of the contest midway through the first half.
Blake Austin was first on the board - denied earlier in the contest he eventually claimed the opening try of the match after 14 minutes. Josh Hodgson added to the Brits' lead and a Gareth Widdop conversion pushed it to 10 points.
That point would be as high as the Lions would go - the Lions held out til nearly halftime before Edwin Ipape finally cracked the Great Britain defence - inside his own half no less. Ipape ran 70 metres and the Kumuls were on the board, albeit trailing 10-6 at the break.
PNG went for the throat in the second forty - six minutes in, Watson Boas drawing his side level before Rhyse Martin pushed them ahead.
High on momentum, Melbourne centre Justin Olam was next to register a try and PNG suddenly extended their lead beyond a converted try.
Errors and poor discipline from the Lions only led to more fantastic footy from the Kumuls and Alex Johnston obliged with the home side's fourth try with 24 minutes remaining.
The last points of the game came from Nixon Putt as Port Moresby went into party mode, Martin's conversion floating the lead out to 28-10 where it would stay til the final whistle.
It was the Kumuls' first win over Great Britain since a Goroka test match in 1990 - their only previous victory.
Papua New Guinea 28 - Great Britain 10
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby / PNG
Crowd: 0
Halftime Score: Papua New Guinea 6 Great Britain 10
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Alex Johnston
2 points - Edwin Ipape
1 points - Daniel Russell
PAPUA NEW GUINEA (28)
Tries: Edwin Ipape, Watson Boas, Justin Olam, Alex Johnston, Nixon Putt
Field Goals:
Conversions: Kyle Laybutt (1/1), Rhyse Martin (3/4)
Penalty Goals:
GREAT BRITAIN (10)
Tries: Blake Austin, Josh Hodgson
Field Goals:
Conversions: Gareth Widdop (1/2)
Penalty Goals: