The only regret Tom Learoyd-Lahrs had walking off the plane in steamy Port Moresby conditions yesterday was that he didn't have anything to throw to the legions of screaming fans.
As the Prime Minister's XIII squad touched down for tomorrow's clash against Papua New Guinea, Learoyd-Lahrs realised he forgot to pack one of the most important things for the four-day trip gifts for the locals.
Around 200 Papua New Guinea fans formed a guard of honour as the Australians boarded their team bus at the airport.
''It's a bit of an eye opener when you get over here and all the people come out to welcome the boys, it's an experience in itself,'' Learoyd-Lahrs said.
''I left from Tamworth so I didn't get time to pack up some Raiders supporters gear.
''I know [Terry Campese] has some stuff so I'm going to have to get some off him to make sure I've got something to throw around.''
Learoyd-Lahrs and fellow Raiders Campese, Joel Monaghan, David Shillington and Josh Dugan will be part of the PM's XIII side that takes on the Kumuls at Lloyd Robson Oval.
The welcoming party was like nothing Learoyd-Lahrs had seen before.
He's been to Papua New Guinea before, but only as part of the Australian schoolboys team.
''It's still a game of football and you want to win every game you play in,'' he said. ''And seeing all those people just at the airport and all screaming your name it definitely gets the blood pumping.''
For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times
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