The Kumuls arrived an hour before the game and began their warm-up, but the Australians opted for some stretching and preparation at the team hotel before emerging from the team bus and onto the field shortly after. There were over 3000 extra spectators and in previous years locals have been known to climb trees and scale power poles to get a glimpse of their heroes. That wasn't the case this time; there were barely any spare yellow seats. Once the vociferous crowd quietened down as the teams warmed up, the lights went off. No one panicked though as run throughs continued in the dark for 15 minutes before the lights kicked back into gear. PNG dropped the Australians' kick-off, but when the ball was knocked from Alex Johnston's hands when he dived into the corner in the process of trying to score, it sent the local crowd wild.

They screamed like they had already won the match and then before booed the young man whose grandmother was born in their land. The crowd also booed Segeyaro on numerous occasions, but he did not let the moment get the better of him. "Every time he [Segeyaro] got the ball it was like bees to a honey pit," Cleary said. "It was all in good spirit." After four knock-ons between both sides, Wests Tigers winger Nofoaluma fended a off a player before crossing on the right edge for the opening points in the 12th minute. Seven minutes later Nofoaluma was the beneficiary of an intercept pass. He sprinted down the field and then passed inside. Off the next play, the Australians spread the ball left, finding the hands of Jarrod Croker who went the last 30 metres to score.

The unabating buzz in the Sir John Guise Stadium increased in decibels relative to how many metres away the Kumuls were from the Australian line. The moment everyone wanted to see came in the 34th minute. Winger Justin Olam had the crowd roaring him on like Cathy Freeman at the Olympics 15 years ago to the day when he sprinted down the right touchline. His only obstacle was fullback Jack Wighton. A right foot step, a dive, and then raised fists sent the fanatic PNG crowd mad. Another try to Johnston in the corner put the Australians ahead at the break 14-6 and interestingly, all the four-pointers had come from wingers which showed just how proficient the big men in the middle were. "I was a bit worried," Cleary admitted. "We had all the field position and it looked like we would go into half time at 10-6, the crowd's gone mad. So that was a crucial try." There was the world's fastest Mexican wave and not to forget the PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill yelling: "C'mon boys", whenever his team made a break.

If only Malcolm Turnbull was here to see this wonderful spectacle of rugby league. The crowd were upset with NRL referee Gavin Reynolds for awarding Australia a number of penalties, albeit correct ones, but their dissatisfaction evaporated minutes later when he awarded PNG halfback Watson Boas a try to put the Kumuls back within two converted tries at 24-12. But late tries to big men Chris McQueen, Euan Aitken and Jeremy Latimore, as well as one to fullback Jack Wighton after the siren, sealed the comfortable victory for Australia. "They hung in there the whole game and it was definitely a challenge for us," said captain Merrin. "It was an incredible experience. Each player in the Australian team is definitely going to take something out of this trip.