NRL: Big men warm hearts in Papua New Guinea

news.com.au

27 Sep, 2016 04:06 AM3 mins to read

Aaron Woods and David Klemmer meeting some of the locals in Papua New Guinea. Photo / Instagram

Aaron Woods does not have the greatest rig in rugby league.

It's what makes the Wests Tigers star's brilliant full-time striptease after Australia's 58-0 thumping of Papua New Guinea's Kumuls in Port Moresby even more impressive.

The 25-year-old is winning plenty of admiration from fans for his unexpected return to the Aussie Prime Minister's XIII's dressing rooms without his clothes at the end of 80 minutes.

Woods and Bulldogs prop David Klemmer have been credited with remaining on the field well after the fulltime siren, interacting with the reported 20,000 fans crammed into a stadium that has a capacity of 15,000.

When fans invaded the field after fulltime, the Aussie players were guided by security back into the sheds - all except for Klemmer and Woods, who remained outside the player's entrance soaking up the chaotic scenes.

Clearly moved by the support from the locals, Woods handed over his Australian representative jumper to fans in the crowd.

He must have enjoyed the warm, fuzzy feeling because it wasn't long before his shorts, boots and socks were off as well.

Thankfully, for all involved, Woods did not remove his undies or the GPS unit around his chest.

The pair were called "heroes" and "absolute legends" by Facebook users.

It was just one of the many crazy scenes the Australian NRL stars experienced during their overseas trip.

When the Australians arrived 48 hours before game, it was already clear this would not be just another game of rugby league.

Thousands of screaming fans crammed outside the airport in Port Moresby to get a glimpse of the footy stars. They squashed close together near the exits, flattened themselves up against the windows of the team bus and even climbed high on top of ledges to get the best view possible.

Roosters backrower Boyd Cordner uploaded footage of the team's arrival on Instagram, as did Dragons and NSW forward Tyson Frizell.

Someone in Frizell's video can be heard saying "Holy crap" in reference to the crazy scenes when they managed to pile into the bus.

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A post shared by Boyd Cordner (@boydcordner)

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A post shared by TYSON FRIZELL (@tysonfrizell)

Clearly Klemmer and Woods were not daunted by all the local love.

Despite their impressive performances on and off the field in Papua New Guinea, Klemmer and Woods are no certainties to be selected in Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga's 24-man squad for the Four Nations series in England, beginning on October 28.

A host of NRL stars have been added to Meninga's Kangaroos train-on squad since the trip to Papua New Guinea.

Klemmer and Woods will be competing with the likes of Matt Gillett, Corey Parker, Matt Scott and Josh Papalii when Meninga announces his final 24-man squad the day after Sunday's NRL grand final.