Wales coach John Kear described his “immense pride” after his team exited the Rugby League World Cup with a 36-0 defeat to Papua New Guinea in Doncaster.
A valiant display by Kear’s band of part-timers saw them come up short for the third time in Group D, but their performance underscored the progress they have made in the tournament.
“I am immensely proud of the players because most people expected us to get a shellacking every single time and they certainly haven’t done that,” said Kear.
“I am a little frustrated with our performance for the first 40 minutes against Papua New Guinea but they just worked so hard to restrict the score, and in the second half they were really competitive.”
Kear paid tribute to the strength of the Papua New Guinea forward line and their ability to adapt in dismal conditions, but said he does not feel the Kumuls will have enough to sink England in the last eight next Saturday.
“We thought the rain might suit us but it suited them,” added Kear. “They went direct and their big plus point is their aggression and physicality and how they carry the ball.
“They were good in the forwards but whether they’re good enough to challenge England, I don’t think so.”
Wales made the first inroads through Bailey Antrobus down the middle but Papua New Guinea got on the scoreboard within eight minutes when hugely impressive half-back Kyle Laybutt smashed through a trio of red shirts to touch down.
The near-total dominance of the powerful Papuan forwards was soon apparent and when second row Nixon Putt flopped over for the second from point-blank range in the 12th minute, it became a damage limitation exercise for Kear’s men.
Oliver Olds almost created a Wales try with a clever grubber, but moments later PNG sparked back into life when Jimmy Ngutlik charged from inside his own half to go over for his side’s third.
Dan Russell scored the fourth Papuan try to make it 24-0 on the half-time hooter, and the fifth arrived the other side of the interval when Putt went over for his second of the night.
Wales pinned back the hosts in a gallant quest to finish their World Cup campaign with some richly deserved points but instead it was the impressive Ngutlik – clearly one to watch for England at the weekend – who latched onto an up-and-under to seal his own double and with it a comprehensive win.
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