Papua New Guinea on collision course with England after showcasing credentials against Tonga

[josie andrews]

The Kumuls produced a valiant effort on Tuesday evening, and fell short at the final hurdle against Tonga

Papua New Guinea emerged as an outside chance to cause an upset in the Rugby League World Cup as they and Tonga produced the game of the tournament so far. After eighty minutes of passion, hard work and non-stop action, the Kumuls will feel hard done by after video referee Ben Thaler adjudged winger Rodrick Tai had failed to ground the ball in the corner, which sparked heavy debate on social media. The Tonga's late surge ended in South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Kaeon Koloamatangi breaking PNG's hearts near the hooter to snatch a 24-18 victory.

However, the defeated side can take plenty of positives heading into their remaining Group D matches with the Cook Islands and Wales. After the showing they produced in St Helens, they have to be thrown into the mix about causing the so-called 'bigger' nations some issues going into to the knockout rounds.

If you're a Leigh Centurions fan then you will have become accustomed to Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam's sensational outings. Still, for the viewers who aren't too familiar with the Leythers duo, Tuesday evening put them right on the world's stage. Ipape's effort to break away resulting in Lam diving under the sticks was sensational, and he had a field day at dummy-half, racking up 192 metres from 22 carries whilst also making 34 tackles. The way the Kumuls play is precisely what a World Cup needs, an underdog who isn't afraid to reach new levels against the odds.


With their expansive approach, if they can produce the same levels they showed in St Helens, there's no reason why PNG can't defeat their next two opponents and move on to the final eight, and on their day, are an extremely difficult outfit to overcome.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... d-25298020

[Exiled Wiganer]

That’s a great summary. Wonderful match. I was supporting PNG after seeing that Tonga kit. England are likely to play them at the DW in the quarter finals. That looks a far harder prospect than I had expected after last night.

One of the wonderful things about PNG is that they are a genuine home grown success story as well. It won’t be too many years before they are up there with NZ if they keep improving like this. Great for the game.

[the pieman]

That’s a great summary. Wonderful match. I was supporting PNG after seeing that Tonga kit. England are likely to play them at the DW in the quarter finals. That looks a far harder prospect than I had expected after last night.

One of the wonderful things about PNG is that they are a genuine home grown success story as well. It won’t be too many years before they are up there with NZ if they keep improving like this. Great for the game.

PNG is just rugby league and they love it over there

one of my friends went on a BARLA tour to PNG about 30 years ago. Brutal match, and then had to be escorted from the changing rooms after the game as the locals didnt take defeat too well

[w.thomas]

It was a good match and I thought PNG were unlucky. Thaler is a muppet though, I thought it was a try all day.

[the pieman]

It was a good match and I thought PNG were unlucky. Thaler is a muppet though, I thought it was a try all day.

i think everyone bar Thaler thought it was a try, but he could obviously see that the box shaped rugby league ball was on the line