Rising stars give Sheens a nudge
RUGBY LEAGUE: Broncos halfback Ben Hunt (pictured) and Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods have put their hands up for a spot in the Kangaroos’ Four Nations squad after starring in Australia’s 34-16 win over Papua New Guinea in Kokopo.
With a host of newcomers in the line-up alongside established stars including Greg Bird, Beau Scott and Robbie Farah, the PM’s XIII led 16-0 at half-time after tries to Woods, Will Chambers and Josh Mansour.
When Woods completed his double early in the second half, and Anthony Milford and Beau Scott added further tries, the visitors led 34-0 midway through the second half against a team made up largely of players from the PNG Hunters team that played in this year’s Queensland Cup competition.
The home side at least gave home fans something to cheer about with three late tries, two from centre Thompson Teteh.
Hunt, one of the NRL’s biggest improvers in 2014, turned in a display that will have him on the verge of a Kangaroos call-up with a host of stars unavailable.
One of those is joint Dally M medal winner Johnathan Thurston, paving the way for Daly Cherry-Evans to partner Cooper Cronk in the halves, leaving a spot for Hunt on the bench for a utility option. Coach Tim Sheens will name his squad tomorrow, with the Kangaroos to play New Zealand in Brisbane on October 25.
SCORE: PM’s XIII 34 (Aaron Woods 2, Josh Mansour, Will Chambers, Anthony Milford, Beau Scott tries; Ben Hunt 5 goals) def. Papua New Guinea 16 (Thompson Teteh 2, Israel Eliab tries; Noel Zemming 2 goals) in Kokopo, PNG yesterday afternoon.