Bulldogs second rower Josh Curran had a busy day out in Port Moresby as the Australia PM's XIII defeated Papua New Guinea in a comprehensive 28-10 victory.
Curran put in a trademark workman-like shift, featuring in the majority of the contest and ran for 79 metres from eight runs, while making six tackle breaks and 34 tackles.
Australia began proceedings with the first try of the match as Trai Fuller crossed in the corner, giving the green and gold a 4-nil lead. However, the locals were quick to hit back and level the scores after Dudley Dotoi dotted down in the corner.
South Sydney's Tallis Duncan sliced through soon after, before providing Fuller his second as Australia took a 12-4 lead after half an hour. A 40/20 from Jayden Campbell set Australia up to score their fourth try, and it was Fuller going in for his third of the day soon after.
Defending set after set on their line, the Australians repelled the hosts, taking in a 16-4 lead at the break.
Neither side was able to trouble the scoresheet until the 59th minute, with a neat grubber kick touched down by Bradman Best, before Tyran Wishart scored just moments later to extend the lead to 24-4.
Fuller scored his fourth of the game after cleverly regathering a grubber from Best to seal the result with ten minutes remaining. In the dying stages, the hosts broke through via hulking front rower Epel Kapinias, bridging the gap to eighteen with the final scoreline reading 28-10.
Australia Men's PM's XIII 28 (Fuller 4, Duncan, Best, Wishart tries) def Papua New Guinea 10 (Dotoi, Kapinias tries; Morea goal)
