THERE was no holding the Kumuls when they opened their campaign against Wales before a packed International Stadium on a historic day for the game in Papua New Guinea.
The first World Cup game played on PNG soil proved a rip-roaring success and the sell-out crowd erupted when captain David Mead cut through flimsy defence to open the scoring.
The decibel level barely abated as the Kumuls surged to 26-0 by half-time and 50-0 by the 70-minute mark. They conceded their only points after the full-time siren when a speculative kick by Wales halfback Matt Seamark landed for winger Regan Grace to touch down out wide.
The Kumuls were never extended by a Welsh combination that struggled with the oppressive conditions, unable to contain the powerful running of the home team.
Papua New Guinea’s…
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Official Rugby League Annual (Digital) - 1 Issue, 2017