17 Oct 2014

Sport: PNG league expecting a fierce battle against the visiting Tongans

11:55 am on 17 October 2014

The Papua New Guinea League team is expecting their match against Tonga on Sunday to be equally as tough as last week's 34-16 loss to the Australian Prime Minister's XIII.

Kumul Coach Mal Meninga says they are expecting a very hard and physical game.

The PNGRFL says the test will be vitally important with World ranking points at stake.

The Tongan squad has only one player in it who isn't playing in the NRL. In contrast, the Kumuls have just one NRL player in forward Rhyse Martin while the majority of the team are from the Hunters, New South Wales Cup or PNG competitions.

Meninga says despite a few niggly injuries, preparations have gone well and the hit-out against the PM's XIII gave them the opportunity to identify areas they needed to work on be as prepared as possible for Sunday's Test.

Big name players Tonga have include Peni Terepo from Parramatta, Penrith's Benjamin Murdoch-Masila, Sika Manu and the Bronco's David Hala.