LINDSAY ANFIELD hailed the “international-like stage” that York Valkyrie were given in Thursday night’s 38-0 defeat to Papua New Guinea.

York were handily beaten by a PNG side boasting several Women’s NRL players at the York St Johns University Sports Park as the Orchids warmed up for next month’s World Cup in style.

Lisa-Marie Alu (two), Elsie Albert (two), Martha Molowia, Talitha Kunjil, Ua Ravu, Belinda Gwasamun scored PNG's tries, with Gwasamun (two) and Shae Yvonne de la Cruz contributing goals.

Valkyrie fielded an experimental 17, with England aces Tara Stanley, Grace Field, Hollie Dodd and Olivia Wood all unavailable to Anfield and the friendly offering a taste of the standard of international rugby league.

“What a great experience for York as a club and all our girls this was, to play against one of the top four international teams and compete for the majority of the game,” Valkyrie director of rugby director Anfield enthused.

“I’m really pleased and really happy that we got to play in the fixture like this.

“We were without our England players and Kelsey (Gentles) but for those that did play, it was as close to an international fixture as they could get, so what a great experience.

“For some of those girls, who are pushing towards getting international honours, that’s given them an indication of the level of physicality and fitness that they’ll need to get there.

“We only had four sessions, training once a week before the game, nothing too much, but it kept the group together and gave them all the opportunity to perform on an international-like stage.

“We competed really well and the scoreline probably didn’t reflect the game.”

The friendly officially closed out York’s action in 2022, with all attentions now turned to next year.

“Pre-season will officially start after Christmas, but the girls know me well enough to know they’ll be getting pulled in before Christmas to make sure we are where we need to be,” said Anfield.

“The girls don’t like to have too much time away anyway. They’ll be a month or so off to watch the World Cup and then we’ll get straight back into it.”