Party time if PNG beat Kiwis: Lam

(AAP)- Papua New Guinea coach Adrian Lam says his players have his permission to "go berserk" and party for a week if they spring a massive World Cup upset against New Zealand on Saturday.

Lam has allowed his players to soak up the compliments and praise since they went
close to toppling England in the Cup opener Townsville last weekend before going
down 32-22.
He said he'd already approved a party if they go one better this weekend and win.
"I don't care if they go berserk for a week, I wouldn't mind because they would have
worked very hard to get it and it would be a history-making win," Lam told AAP.
"If they win, they can take up residency down here (Gold Coast) and we can work out
their visas to get them back home later if they want."
Lam is carrying out a delicate juggling act with his players, letting them enjoy the
limelight while at the same time keeping them focused on the game against the Kiwis.
"Everywhere we've been people are patting the players on the back," Lam said.
"I think it's helped them understand what they achieved and the respect they've
earned from people which was one of the big things driving this team.
"It's a pool (against heavyweights Australia, England and New Zealand) where we
could have really embarrassed ourselves and while we've got a little bit of respect,
we still haven't achieved a victory.
"We've made a lot of friends and won a lot of hearts but if we go one better the
place (PNG) will really go berserk."
Lam wasn't convinced New Zealand, who've made three key changes with try scoring ace
Kris Inu, hooker Issac Luke and hard-running forward David Fa'alogo coming into the
match squad, will not make more changes.
"I'm not sure that'll be their final line up," said a suspicious Lam.
"I'm not saying what changes they'll make, maybe their bench will be different."
Lam though believes Kearney's decision to stick with Thomas Leuluai and Benji
Marshall in the halves is the right one despite criticism of Leuluai's quiet
performance against Australia last weekend.
"That's probably the best pairing they have so they have to persist with it and get
it right," he said.
"They proved they can play together before and no doubt they can do it again.
"They would have all been disappointed with their performance and it looks like he
(Kearney) has applied the blowtorch to some individuals to get them to aim up before
the third game and the semi-finals."
Lam hinted at a possible re-shuffle of his own bench with centre Jesse Jo Parker
(facial cut) named but still to be cleared to play.