Kumuls coach Jason Demetriou says Papua New Guinea must improve its discipline and make better use of possession when they face England this evening at WIN Stadium in Sydney Australia, after a punishing second half against Samoa exposed the team’s vulnerabilities.

Demetriou has made several changes to the side, with Josh Feledy named in the centres and Zach Laybutt shifting to fullback. The reshuffle is designed to add size to PNG’s backfield, give Laybutt more opportunities to handle the ball and create room for Sonny as he joins the six-man bench.

The coach stressed that the larger bench gives him more options during the match. 

“It’s important when people look at the team to understand that there’s six players on the bench, not four,” he said.

Injuries have also forced changes. Khaiya Waiembi suffered a syndesmosis injury early in the Samoa match and is expected to undergo surgery. Jack de Belin broke two ribs during the game, while Luca Moretti missed last week’s match with a rib injury but has recovered and trained ahead of England. Nene is also available again after illness.

Demetriou said the injuries to Waiembi and De Belin contributed to the Kumuls’ second-half fatigue, particularly with other middle forwards unavailable. He added that the side had been further disrupted by late withdrawals before the Samoa game.

The changes at the back are intended to make the most of the players’ fitness and strengths. Nene, who has previously played fullback, has been managing a knee injury and is not yet at the level of fitness the position demands. Demetriou believes he can still make a strong contribution in the centres.

Laybutt, meanwhile, has impressed but has not had enough involvement in attack, according to the coach. Moving him to fullback should give him more chances to get his hands on the ball.

The Kumuls have had a more settled preparation this week after arriving on Monday. Demetriou said training had focused on getting Gairo and Bailey more involved with the ball and improving the team’s attacking options.

PNG’s main challenge will be to stay composed when momentum swings against them. Against Samoa, the Kumuls conceded four yardage penalties as they tried to get back into the contest, gifting field position to a powerful side that completed at a high rate. Demetriou also pointed to the impact of losing players during the match, including a 10-minute period without “Dubs” (De Belin), during which Samoa scored 22 points.The statistics underlined the pressure PNG faced.

Demetriou said the Kumuls had only 19 per cent possession in the second half, while Samoa held 81 per cent. With limited ball, PNG’s playmakers struggled to influence the game.

“We’ve got to respect the ball, and we’ve got to be disciplined when we get our chances down their end. If we can do that and we get 50-50 ball, we’ve seen what this team can do over the last few years," he said.

Demetriou praised his team’s courage and physical commitment in the first half against Samoa, while acknowledging the quality of their opponents. He said England would pose another stern test, and that PNG would need to put together a stronger performance across 70 to 80 minutes, rather than only showing what it can do in patches.

The coach is also looking forward to the return of experienced players and the opportunity for new faces. He said Luca Moretti's return would strengthen the side, while Nene’s work in the middle helps the forwards manage their defensive workload. Rhys is set to play his final game, and Jacob Taulani will make his opportunity count, with Demetriou highlighting his defense, athleticism and ability to control the ruck.

For Demetriou, the focus is not on history between the teams but on PNG’s own response. He said the Kumuls had created opportunities against Samoa, including breaks from Robert Darby and Dudley Dotoi, but failed to capitalize fully.

“If we go and take our chances there, we go in potentially leading at half-time and the game is very different. We’ve got to take the chances when they come. And if they don’t, we’ve got to fight hard to get some field position and get the ball back," coach Demetriou said.

The message ahead of England is clear: stay disciplined, protect possession and make the most of the opportunities that come.