PNG venom leaves Aussies bruised - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

PNG venom leaves Aussies bruised

Steve Jancetic 24/10/2010 09:29:00 PM Comments (0)

It's one of the more unusual nicknames in the world of rugby league, but there is a very obvious reason Papua New Guinea centre Menzie Yere is called 'The Jukebox.'

"Because he just keeps bringing out the hits," said Kumuls skipper Paul Aiton.

"One hit after another."

And didn't the Australians, and in particular captain Darren Lockyer, find out the hard way.

Yere was a one-man wrecking crew in Sunday's Four Nations clash at Parramatta Stadium, his series of bone-crunching tackles unable to stop the Kangaroos cantering to a 42-0 but more than enough to leave the Australia's battered and bruised.

Lockyer was his favourite target, his 10th-minute shoulder charge leaving Australia's captain on his haunches and the team's medical staff fearing a reoccurrence of the rib cartilage complaint that which resulted in a premature end to his NRL campaign.

He eventually got up, only to be whacked again a short time later with a tackle which left him bleeding from the ear.

"I think I've played Papua New Guinea a handful of times and it's always been physical and today was no different," Lockyer said.

"I guess the fact I haven't played for 10-11 weeks they probably tried to work me over."

But Lockyer wasn't on his own in requiring treatment, with Anthony Watmough and Brent Tate also suffering head knocks in the physical contest.

"It's pretty much head first and do as much damage as possible," Kangaroos prop Petero Civoniceva said of the Kumuls' unique tackling style.

"They're such a tough team, though men.

"We all knew we were in a game of football probably that first set of six when there was a fair share of rib rattlers."

Tate is in doubt for Sunday's clash against England after leaving the field early due to a knock on his neck - for which he wears a brace, while a groin injury is likely to sideline Watmough.

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