Papua New Guinea have been challenged to keep their feet on the ground after a stunning start to the Rugby League World Cup
The Kumuls steamrolled Wales 50-6 in front a sold out home crowd in Port Moresby on Saturday.
PNG ran in 10 tries in front of their home crowd. Photo: NRL Photos
Captain David Mead led from the front with a hat-trick as the home side ran in 10 tries, only conceding a consolation effort in the final play of the game.
Assistant coach Marcus Bai said it was a phenomenal performance.
"It was a dream start for us and we wanted to start that way," he said.
"...It was probably one of the Kumuls teams that I have been involved or seen that we went in and stuck to the plans and the boys really stuck to the gameplan and played well for say 26-28 minutes.
"That was the thilling part for us coaching staff that we were happy, we were happy with the way the boys went on from there".
PNG Kumuls coach Michael Marum (L), assistant coach Marcus Bai (2L) and other watch on from the sideline. Photo: NRL Photos
The win was only the fourth for Papua New Guinea at a World Cup and their first since the 2000 event, when Marcus Bai and head coach Michael Marum were still playing.
The Kumuls need to finish top of Group C to advance to the quarter finals and Bai said but they can't afford to get carried away with another must-win match on Sunday against an Ireland team who upset Italy 36-12.
"That's a challenge for us....we've already started that after the game and we started to put some words in the boys ears," he said.
"I've already started and another two or three (of the coaching staff) already started as well.
"I said the first game is over - have you seen the expectation? The boys looked at us and said yeah.
"I said did you see when you guys score tries here. They said yeah and I said that game one is gone, they're going to expect the same in game two".
A sold out crowd turned up to watch the Kumuls outclass Wales at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. Photo: NRL Photos