PNG Kumuls coach Michael Marum (L), assistant coach Marcus Bai (2L) and other watch on from the sideline. Photo: NRL Photos
Papua New Guinea and Fiji are after more of the same in tomorrow's Rugby League World Cup matches against Ireland and Wales.
The Kumuls thrashed Wales 50-6 in front of a sold out home crowd in Port Moresby last weekend and welcome an Irish team that stunned Italy 36-12.
With only one team from Group D advancing to the quarter finals the afternoon clash could prove decisive for both sides.
PNG coach Michael Marum said Ireland would have acclimatised to the hot conditions in Cairns and would provide a much sterner test for the home team.
"We'll treat them with respect, we're going to go out there and make sure we play well against them. We're not thinking...they'll struggle - I think that was an advantage last weekend against Wales but Ireland (are a) different side," he said.
"They've got 14 Super League players in their team so we keep training, do what we do here and go out there and make sure we do well," he said.
Former Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter will take charge of Fiji for the Pacific Test in May. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Meanwhile Fiji are fresh from a 58-12 demolition of the United States and are overwhelming favourites to heap further misery on Wales in Townsville.
The Bati got off to a flyer last weekend, scoring five tries in the first 17 minutes, and coach Mick Potter said another fast start was crucial to their game plan.
"Starting well just puts your team in good stead for later in the game so you need to exert a lot of energy and execute your plays and make sure you get off to a good start because in the end it saves you energy at the end and you've got more energy in yourself whereas if you start poorly you find you're burning more energy," he said.
"The game is about building pressure and if you put the pressure on yourself really the game becomes a short game because the scoreboard runs away from you and you don't have time to get back into the game. That was true for the Welsh and true for USA I suppose."
The Fiji Bati World Cup squad. Photo: NRL Photos
