PNG captain John Wilshere has warned pundits not to rule out a World Cup boilover when his side squares off with the Kangaroos at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Sunday night.
There was an air of quiet confidence about the heavy underdogs as they finalised preparations for their final pool-one clash in searing temperatures in Townsville on Saturday afternoon.
And Wilshere has no doubt his charges are ready to make a statement against the powerful Australian line-up come kick-off.
"There's always a belief I mean you don't just come to make up the numbers you come to win," Wilshere told Sportal.
"Everyone's really ready to go, everyone's ready to make amends for the game against New Zealand."
"We've got a lot of new players in here looking to impress (coach) Adrian (Lam) and not only that but it's a good opportunity for them to show their wares to a few talent scouts that might be out there."
The Kumuls have named four debutants for the clash with precocious talent Anton Kui to start in the centres, while forwards Kevin Prior, Nicko Slain and Jay Aston are all set to earn their maiden Test caps off the bench.
"They're really looking forward to it," the skipper said of the new faces.
"We're not going to know how they go until the game but hopefully they get out there and get into the game as early as possible."
"It's good to have new players in and it's refreshing for the team."
Having stretched England to its limit in their opening match of the tournament the Kumuls found themselves on the wrong end of a 46-6 hiding from the Kiwis last start.
But Wilshere, who plies his trade with English Super League club Salford, has no doubt his men can turn things around against the all-conquering Kangaroos.
"It's just attitude, we need to go out there with a good attitude," he said.
"We basically felt we let ourselves down individually (against the Kiwis), we couldn't put our finger on what exactly it was but it was just about an attitude thing."
Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart believes the Kumuls would have benefited greatly from their two previous hit-outs and remains on high alert ahead of the clash.
"They would have learnt a heluva lot over the last two games playing against England and New Zealand," Stuart said.
"I think it's been a great preparation for them to improve and it's not just about winning for the Papua New Guinea side."
"I think it's about being involved in the contest and also what they're doing for their younger football players in Papua New Guinea in regards to giving them a taste of international football and showing them that there is some opportunity at the end of the tunnel."