Papua New Guinea coach Adrian Lam says Australian counterpart Ricky Stuart has done the right thing by resting his strike players from Sunday's World Cup clash at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

Rather than feel slighted by the absence of class acts Darren Lockyer, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Petero Civoniceva, Lam said he agreed with Stuart's tactics and would have done the same thing in his place.

Four players, wingers Darius Boyd and David Williams, five-eighth Terry Campese and backrower Anthony Watmough will make their Test debuts against the Kumuls with Stuart opting to rest some stars for the World Cup semi-finals.

"I would have done the same if I was in their position, absolutely," Lam said.

"They're in pretty good form and it's a great opportunity to rest five or six players.

"If I was in that position I'd do exactly the same thing. I don't see it as a disrespectful thing towards us, I see it as a smart thing for them.

"They've got New Zealand and England or whoever in the next few weeks and they're not replacing their stars with guys who can't play.

"Karmichael Hunt for Billy Slater, what do they lose?"

PNG had two solid training sessions in Townsville on Wednesday, determined to erase the memories of their disappointing loss to New Zealand after scaring England in their opening World Cup game.

"We think we've had a decent go at the World Cup and we want to go off on a high rather than a low," said Lam.

"Some people are thinking 70 or 80 points.... I haven't mentioned that to them (players) and we've been working hard at being competitive.

"I'll only be fearful of the scoreboard if we don't turn up to play whether it's Australia or anybody.

"We respect Australia and what they can do. They put 50 (points) past England and nearly 40 past New Zealand.

"It's a scary thought but as a coach I have to stay positive and get the message across to the players there's a chance there, if everyone turns up, and only if everyone turns up, that we're a chance."

Lam named a 20-man squad and will decide on Wednesday night on a few tough selection decisions.

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