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PNG to play in Four Nations

Full house celebrates crushing win

Last updated: 1st November 2009

Mead: hat-trick

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Papua New Guinea will line up alongside Australia, New Zealand and England in the 20101 Four Nations down under.

The Kumuls secured their place in next season's showpiece event with a 42-14 win over the Cook Islands in the Pacific Cup final in Port Moresby.

The hosts dominated from the start, establishing a 20-10 half-time lead and racing away after the interval thanks to a hat-trick of tries from Gold Coast Titans star David Mead.

Sheffield Eagles centre Menzie Yere also weighed in with two tries, as the young Cook Islanders were outclassed by a determined Kumuls side roared on by a full house at Lloyd Robson Oval.

Kumuls captain John Wilshere said: "This means so much to all our boys and everyone here in this country.

"Rugby league is our national sport, we love it, and next year we're going to be playing in the Four Nations and that's a massive boost for Papua New Guinea."

PNG coach Adrian Lam said: "I don't think it's really sunk in yet that we're in the Four Nations but we're excited about it and we'll get our heads around it soon enough."

PNG will take the place of France in the tournament next year.