Kangaroos fullback Jarryd Hayne admits he's happy not to be lining up against Papua New Guinea this weekend in the annual Prime Minister's 13 clash in Kokopo.
The Dally M medal winner is expected to be a key player for Australia in the defence of their Four Nations title against New Zealand, England and Samoa later this month.
Kangaroos fullback Jarryd Hayne Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The former Fiji international is one of the few star names remaining, with Johnathan Thurston's omission bringing to nine the number of incumbent Kangaroos unavailable for the tournament opener in a fortnight.
Some of the contenders will line up against the Kumuls on Sunday and Hayne says he's happy to be sitting that one out.
"They're beasts, you know. That's probably the most physical game that you can play on an international scale. It's like the closest thing you get to going to war - they don't hold anything back, I tell you that much. [If] they want to put a shot on that's it. They're getting better every year and the way they're built as well: very low to the ground, very strong and it's always a tough game".
Meanwhile the Governor of East New Britain has confirmed the provincial government will offer 1,000 subsidised tickets to fans for Sunday's clash.
