14 Aug 2017

Sport: PNG's AFL title defence on tenterhooks

12:23 pm on 14 August 2017

Papua New Guinea need other results to go their way if they're to defend the AFL International Cup title.

The Mosquitoes outclassed the United States 92-55 at the weekend to climb to third place in the men's competition with one round remaining before the finals.

New Zealand and Ireland remain unbeaten, after accounting for Canada and Great Britain respectively, and will meet tomorrow in a top of the table clash.

Papua New Guinea are hoping Ireland slip up to boost their chances of making the grand final.

Papua New Guinea are hoping Ireland slip up to boost their chances of making the grand final. Photo: AFL Media

PNG face South Africa and Tour Manager Peter Harrison said the reigning champions have to win big.

"It is a very simple equation against South Africa - get out there and get 100," he said.

"There's mathematical opportunities and all that sort of stuff for the Mozzies to still make it," he said.

"I mean it's probably in the lap of the gods - it all depends on the Kiwis helping us out a little bit, taking Ireland out and that will probably help us".

Meanwhile the Fiji and Papua New Guinea women will battle it out for the minor placings after both suffered defeats in the final round of pool matches.

Fiji impressed against Pakistan, following earlier defeats by Canada and Great Britain.

Fiji impressed against Pakistan, following earlier defeats by Canada and Great Britain. Photo: AFL Media

Fiji annihilated Pakistan 194-0 but earlier defeats to Canada and Great Britain means they finished third in Pool One.

The PNG Flames were thrashed 61-3 by Ireland in Pool 2 and also finished with a one win/two loss record, to miss out on a place in the semi finals.

Peter Harrison said the International Cup has been a big learning experience for the Flames, after skipping the 2014 event, coming up against bigger bodies and highly skilled opponents.

"One thing we notice with the girls is that they still play that PNG kamikaze-style football which they all tend to play up in PNG

"They certainly can get it out of the backline, they can move it through the centre (but) they tend to break it down a little bit when it gets into the forward line, so that's probably just more of a learning curve".

An all-Pacific clash remains on the cards with PNG up against Pakistan and Fiji taking on the European Crusaders tomorrow for a spot in the fifth place playoff.

The PNG Flames are back in the AFL International Cup after skipping the 2014 event.

The PNG Flames are back in the AFL International Cup after skipping the 2014 event. Photo: AFL Media