Lions tour 2019: Papua New Guinea vs Great Britain talking points
By Marc Bazeley
Last Updated: 15/11/19 9:45pm
Great Britain round off their winter tour seeking to end on a high when they tackle Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Saturday for the first time in 23 years.
The Lions' first appearance on the international stage for 12 years has been a disappointing one so far following defeat to Tonga Invitational XIII and back-to-back losses against New Zealand, and the Kumuls will be eager to inflict more misery on them.
The clash at the National Football Stadium is preceded by the England and Papua New Guinea women's teams facing off as well, and we take a look at the big talking points ahead of Saturday's double-header…
Handley facing a wasted trip
When Ash Handley was summoned to replace the injured Ryan Hall in the Lions squad, many expected the Leeds Rhinos winger to go straight into the team to face Papua New Guinea.
Instead, head coach Wayne Bennett opted to leave him out of his initial 21-man squad for the match altogether, meaning either half-back Blake Austin reprising the role he played in the second Test against New Zealand or a return to the wide position for the fit-again Zak Hardaker.
Handley, who travelled with the squad to Port Moresby on Tuesday, could yet feature depending on the injury situation and it seems strange for Bennett to go to the extent of calling him up only to leave him out - particularly with Jermaine McGillvary the only other specialist winger available.
However, the Lions boss was quick to defend his selection policy ahead of the game and again insisted he was pleased with how Austin performed in the 23-8 defeat to New Zealand in Christchurch.
"Last week against New Zealand we had to put Blake Austin there," Bennett said. "I wasn't sure he could get the job done or not but I was pretty confident he could.
"We didn't think we could bring someone out from England on Monday or Tuesday and play them in a Test match on the Saturday so, looking ahead to here and realising we could have more injuries, we brought him out as a precaution.
"If we had more injuries, we could include him, if we didn't, we're happy with what we've got and we'll go with that."
What the Lions can expect in PNG
Great Britain's players got a glimpse of the sort of reception they can expect on Saturday morning the moment they stepped off the plane at Jackson International Airport, with a huge crowd there to welcome the team to Papua New Guinea.
It was a new experience for many of the squad, but Joe Philbin is one who knew exactly what was coming from playing for Ireland against the Kumuls in Port Moresby during the 2017 World Cup group stages.
That remains a special moment for the Warrington Wolves forward and although the match itself ended in a 14-6 defeat for the Irish, the vociferous 14,800 crowd which packed into the National Football Stadium left an impression on Philbin as well.
โWhen I was here in 2017, it was deafening and the good thing is that they cheer for both sides. Whenever there is a big hit, they love it no matter who gets smashed.โ
Joe Philbin
"I was excited for all the lads who hadn't witnessed it to see it, because it is kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing," Philbin said. "They make the lads feel like they're Premier League football players.
"It's one of the loudest stadiums I've ever played in. When I was here in 2017, it was deafening and the good thing is that they cheer for both sides. Whenever there is a big hit, they love it no matter who gets smashed."
A last chance to impress?
Although Gareth Widdop and Jackson Hastings have been the half-back combination for all three Tests so far, Bennett had previously hinted he may shuffle things around for the clash with Papua New Guinea.
That is because halves George Williams and Jake Trueman are the only two players yet to feature on tour up to this point, with the former now being given a chance to show what he can do in Port Moresby from the interchange bench.
England international Williams, who will join Canberra Raiders from Wigan Warriors ahead of the 2020 season, is naturally keen to add a Lions cap to his honours - particularly after having to be so patient during the past month.
"It's been a long old tour and, as professionals, you want to play every game," Williams said. "That's not to be for me on this tour, but I've got my chance now and hopefully I can take it.
"It will be a proud day for me and my family. Great Britain hasn't been around for a long time and it's something I've wanted to do."
Women take centre stage
Before the Lions take to the field, England's women play their second match of their tour to Papua New Guinea aiming to wrap up a 2-0 series victory.
England captain Emily Rudge led the way with four tries in a 24-10 win over the Orchids in Goroka last Saturday in front of a crowd of nearly 7,000 spectators and the second game forms part of a double-header with the men's Test.
Head coach Craig Richards, who has included the six players who did not feature last week in his squad for the rematch, was delighted with the attitude his side showed and expects another hard-fought encounter this time around.
"Coming to Papua New Guinea has been an unforgettable experience for us all," Richards said. "The girls had to show a lot of character as well as skill to come through some unfamiliar challenges up in Goroka.
"We expect PNG to be determined to bounce back in Port Moresby, so we're prepared for another tough game - and that's exactly what we need from a trip like this, as we continue to build towards hosting the World Cup in 2021."
Probable teams
Great Britain: Jonny Lomax, Jermaine McGillvary, Jack Hughes, Jake Connor, Blake Austin, Gareth Widdop, Jackson Hastings, Chris Hill, Josh Hodgson, Tom Burgess, John Bateman, Elliott Whitehead, James Graham.
Interchange: Luke Thompson, Alex Walmsley, Joe Philbin, George Williams.
Papua New Guinea: Alex Johnston, Edene Gebbie, David Mead, Justin Olam, Stargroth Amean, Kyle Laybutt, Watson Boas, Wellington Albert, Wartovo Puara Jr, Luke Page, Nixon Putt, Daniel Russell, Rhyse Martin.
Interchange (from): Edwin Ipape, Garry Lo, Stanton Albert, Moses, Meninga, Stanford Talita, Enock Maki, Terry Wapi.