Tony Smith's side got off to a stuttering start and the Kumuls looked as though they could spring a shock after taking a half-time lead.
However, England hit back and a hat-trick by Lee Smith and an Ade Gardner double sealed a 32-22 victory.
Peacock (pictured in action against PNG) said: "We knew we had to come out (after half-time) and play better and we did that. Papua New Guinea were very enthusiastic, I think we maybe didn't have enough respect.
"We were a bit wasteful with the ball. But we got the two points and need to move on to Australia next week. We've got a lot to work on but I think we did all right in the main."
Second-rower Gareth Ellis echoed Peacock's sentiments and admitted England were taken by surprise by their opponents.
"It was pleasing to finish in the manner that we did," he said. "But I was disappointed with the manner of the performance.
"It was important we got the win.We knew we could improve, we knew we just had to step up our game. They probably shocked us a bit the way they played, all credit to them, they stuck in there."
Smith admitted he had mixed feelings after he marked his debut with three tries. He said: “It was personally satisfying but the team, we've got a bit to work on.
“They came out tough but in the last 20 minutes we did alright. A lot of us haven't played for two weeks, then flying over here, (so it's) good to get a game under your belt.”
Coach Smith denied he had been worried despite the Kumuls' half-time lead: “I wasn't concerned but there were some issues we needed to take care of. Once we did that I knew we would score some points.
“It will probably do us a world of good rather than a soft game - though we knew it wouldn't be a soft game. They had plenty of ball, give them the ball they are going to rattle you up a bit and they did that for a while.
“We put a bit of pressure on ourselves not having enough composure in the first half. There are some lessons learned. They'll be better for the run, they showed character to come up with the win even if they didn't play particularly well.”
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Rusty, Not enough respect, what else,give us a break. I watched Andy Farrell play eleven matches for GB against Australia without breaking the line and still received accolades from the British media. We played with a lock and a halfback who couldn't break the defense of the Australian womens side and in defence the half as always is told to stay out wide in the hope that nobody runs at him, (he's only small maybe the Ausies wont notice him) Gotta be kidding Mr Smith. If you have to try and hide him he shouldn't be there.So what now? Persevere I'm sure, and eventually realise when its too late.You'd have been better off bringing out young Myler.
I've been in Ozz for thirty years now, nothing changes. Land of Hope and Glory, don't ya luv it.