Uncapped prop Aaron Woods may well have played his way into Australia’s Four Nations rugby league squad, after producing a two-try performance in a 34-16 win for the Prime Minister’s XIII against Papua New Guinea in Kokopo, PNG on Sunday.
The Australian selection scored six tries to three in stifling conditions against a team which had no players with NRL experience.
NSW Origin prop Woods ran with gusto in addition to bagging a brace of tries and is set to capitalise on the host of unavailable front rowers for the Four Nations starting later this month.
That list includes Matt Scott, Nate Myles, Paul Gallen and James Tamou.
Woods produced his performance in front of Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens, who occupied that position for the PM’s XIII after original choice Laurie Daley returned home due to a family illness.
Sheens praised the performance of rising Penrith stars Matt Moylan and Josh Mansour, who were prominent figures in the Panthers surge to the NRL finals.
He suggested rookie winger Sione Mata’utia could be in line for a spot in the Australian’s Four Nations squad.
“He’s a chance, he is still raw but very impressive,” Sheens said.
Captain Greg Bird, who was another strong performer for the visitors, also praised Moylan and Mata’utia.
The quartet of front rowers apart, Sheens will be unable to call upon several other Test stars for the tournament which also features, New Zealand, England and Samoa.
The list of unavailable backs includes Billy Slater, Brett Morris, Darius Boyd and Johnathan Thurston.
Versatile players like Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford, who were in the Prime Minister’s XIII, could also be considered by Sheens
Milford and Brenton Lawrence each came off with injuries on Sunday, though neither was considered serious.
Sheens is due to name his side on Tuesday.
“We have to make some decisions on Monday,” Sheens said.
Woods scored early, but Australia was held to 6-0 until late tries by Will Chambers and Mansour set up a 16-0 halftime scoreline.
It was Woods who crossed first in the second half, with tries to Milford and Beau Scott swelling the visitors’ lead to 34-0.
The Kumuls scored three late tries to add some respectability to the scoreline.
