Michael Jennings provided the fireworks on the field and police fired the traditional round of tear gas at fans as the Australian Prime Minister's XIII beat Papua New Guinea 42-18 on Sunday.

Jennings scored a hat-trick of tries at Lloyd Robson Oval before a sell-out crowd of about 5,000 fans, with plenty more outside the gates.

The NSW and Penrith centre scored two tries in a row in the first half then the last try in the Australian side's patchy display.

Coach Mal Meninga said his side's scrappy performance was due to limited preparation.

"Everyone had a go," he said.

"It wasn't the prettiest game but it was a good work out for the boys, I'm sure they'll be nice and sore tomorrow.

"We've only had two sessions together but it was a very spirited display, from both sides," he said.

"Michael Jennings has a tendency to score hat-tricks. He's lightning fast, good with the ball and I think today defended pretty good as well."

Prop David Schillington scored the first of the Australian side's seven tries and captain Johnathan Thurston slotted home seven of seven conversion attempts in front of 5000 fans.

The PM's team started strongly with three quick tries simply outclassing the PNG Kumuls but were caught napping 30 minutes in and PNG returned favour with two soft tries.

The visiting team's 18-12 halftime lead then stretched in the second half as PNG's infamous physical game failed to pay dividends. The home side were penalised four times for spear tackles.

The Kumuls looked good in the second half, cruelly teasing their fans with several failed chances and missed opportunities.

Slowly the home side's resistance crumbled and the Australian side ran away with four more tries to PNG's one.

PNG coach Adrian Lam said the team's young players showed great promise.

"PNG's future looks good, we're well-positioned with the young fellas," he said.

"All the 19-year-olds went really well."

Lam singled out Tyson Martin, Kerry Tapako and Sigfred Gande as PNG stand outs.

"Our completion rate was poor. We just couldn't hold onto the ball, we dropped it too many times," he said.

"We've improved definitely, as a team and on last year, even the knowledge of the plays, our attitude, it's really getting there."

Outside the ground, police regularly fired tear gas and live rounds as warnings to excited fans who didn't have a ticket but wanted to catch a glimpse of their Aussie heroes.

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