Rugby League World Cup continues with Pool D action featuring PNG v Cook Islands which is a match the PNG Kumuls can’t afford to lose after the Cook Islands beat Wales and PNG went down heroically to Tonga.
Our Group D PNG v Cook Islands Match Centre has a preview, stats, team lists before the game and a summary of the match afterwards. More than you could ever need or want.
If you want more information on all the squads – follow this link here.
PNG 32 Cook Islands 16 Match Summary
The big Group D clash between the PNG Kumuls and Cook Island from Warrington was taken out by the Kumuls who needed the win to keep their knockout hopes alive.
Both teams started the game brightly enough, with the power game for both sides on show, but in the 7th minute a looping Lachlan Lam pass was intercepted by the Cook Islands’ Anthony Gelling and opened up the game. Gelling looked certain to score but was hunted down by Justin Olam and Lam. Cook Islands then attacked the PNG line with multiple sets but were repelled until they were awarded a penalty and took the two points on offer, although they possibly should have continued attacking. PNG can also thank Kyle Laybutt for a super try saving tackle right on the line in that period.
PNG scored the opening try of the night, and it was a long range special. PNG Winger Rodrick Tai looked to take a quick tap from a 20 metre restart and did just that, appearing to take the Cook Islands defence by surprise. Tai simply broke through the line with ease and then turned on the speed to run 80 metres to score. Rhyse Martin missed his first goal kick in 42 attempts, sadly missing out on securing the world record. The score was 4-2 after 15 minutes.
On the back of consecutive penalties PNG were in great territory and the Kumuls took full advantage scoring their second try of the night through Kyle Laybutt. The underrated five eighth took advantage of some second phase play, got the ball 10 metres from the line and jinked, weaved and broke through the Cook Islands line defence to score. Rhyse Martin got over the disappointment of missing the world record by converting from nearly the same spot. PNG now led 10-2 with 15 minutes until half time.
Trouble for the Kumuls in the 28th minute when interchange forward MacKenzie Yei was sent to the sin bin for high contact. This gave the Cook Islands a big advantage, an extra player and an attacking set on the Kumuls line. PNG held out initially. And again a few minutes later. But not the third time.
Cook Islands eventually turned their player advantage into points, with Paul Ulberg scoring in the corner as the Kumuls ran out of defenders. The try was set up by Esan Masters and converted by Steven Marsters from the sideline to make the score 10-8 with four minutes until half time and two minutes until PNG had 13 players.
Errors has cost PNG from having a bigger half time lead, and penalties were hurting the Cook Islands, who could improve their worry to take the second half and game?
HALF TIME – PNG KUMULS 10 COOK ISLANDS 8
PNG Kumuls couldn’t have started the second half any better as they scored with their first set. It was set up by a charging McKenzie Yei, and charged 50 metre from the kick off before he was somehow stopped by Kayal Iro. By the end of the set Rhyse Martin had crashed over for the Kumuls, the try set up by Kyle Laybutt. Martin converted his own try to extend the lead back out to eight points.
PNG Followed that try up a few minutes later and it was Rodrick Tai who scored his second for the match. It was set up via a Kyle Laybutt cross field kick, batted back by Nene McDonald to Rhyse Martin then Alex Johnston who set up Tai for the try. But not after the PNG winger slipped over and had to shuffle his way over the line. Rhyse Martin’s radar was now off, missing the conversion, but PNG still led 20-8.
It took another ten minutes, but PNG edged closer to victory with another try, this time to Lachlan Lam who was in support after Justin Olam charged through the Cook Islands defence. Olam managed to get an offload away despite dragging two defenders with him. Lam scored under the posts to give Rhyse Martin an easy conversion. The score was now 26-8, but with Group D so tight, more points could be crucial.
Cook Islands reduced the margin through Anthony Gelling after sustained pressure on the PNG line caused by multiple penalties from the Kumuls. Gelling, who had been strong for Cook Islands, charged at the Kumuls line and eventually got the ball down backhanded while facing his own line. It has to be said, it looked like Gelling had dropped the ball, and that the same generosity wasn’t applied with any of PNG’s video referee decisions in their match against Tonga. The conversion was missed and the score stayed 26-12 with 20 minutes to go.
A big moment in the 66th minute as Cook Islands’ Reubenn Rennie was sent to sin bin for a lifting tackle on Wellington Albert (which is some effort). Luckily for everyone involved Albert landed safely, which probably saved Rennie from being sent off rather than binned.
The Kumuls eventually took advantage of the extra player when the PNG’s NRL contingent combined. Justin Olam scored the try and it was set up by a bullet Alex Johnston pass. A little concern for Olam as he appeared to take some knees in the back as he scored. PNG can’t afford to lose him, for experience and they are already two wingers short in their squad. Rhyse Martin converted to make it 32-12 and PNG should be home from here.
Cook Islands secured the final try of the match, a nice reward for a determined effort against PNG. It was set up with Anthony Gelling’s second intercept of the match. While Gelling couldn’t finish off the intercept, Kayal Iro scored a play later on the other side of the field. That was the final score of the match.
PNG were arguably not as good tonight as they were against Tonga last week, but they were still good enough to beat a Cook Islands side that gave them plenty. Things to take away for PNG was their excellent goal line defence when they had sustained periods of pressure, and their attack seemed to sharpen up in the second half. They will need it if they are going to make the knockout stage and be competitive. At least they dealt well with the pressure of being favourites and needing to win to progress.
Cook Islands it has to be said are making great progress like all Pacific nations are currently in an exciting time for international rugby league.
PNG v Cook Islands Half Time Score
PNG 32
Tries: Rodrick Tai 2 (14, 46) Kyle Laybutt 23 Rhyse Martin 41 Lachlan Lam 56 Justin Olam 68
Goals: Rhyse Martin 4 (24, 42, 57, 69)
COOK ISLANDS 16
Tries:Paul Ulberg 34 Anthony Gelling 60 Kayal Iro 77
Goals: Steven Marsters 2 (10 pen, 35)
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
3 Pts Kyle Laybutt
2 Pts Rhyse Martin
1 Pt Brad Takairangi
POINTS OF INTEREST
- Rhyse Martin had the opportunity to take the world record for consecutive goal kicks at 42 but the sideline conversion attempt just went left of the posts. Perhaps Roderik Tai could have gone closer to the posts, but we’re sure the Kumuls captain really only cares about a PNG win.
- We said it after the Tonga game, and say it again here, we are glad to see the Kumuls opening up a bit more in attack. Although it did lead to an intercept and a few errors, but it makes them so much more dangerous, and former Kumuls sides were making enough errors with one out runs up the middle anyway. Although, there were too many errors in attack in the first half it has to be said.
- Despite eventually conceding a try to the Cook Islands while a player down, PNG’s line defence was very good, a lesser side may have conceded more. Even in the second half, when the Kumuls line was tested they stood tall.
- What a way to start the second half by McKenzie Yei. Certainly making up for his stint in the sin bin.
- Alex Johnston has been very quiet in attack for PNG. He has been outstanding in defence and fielding kicks, but hasn’t had the opportunities in attack we’d expect. The fact he didn’t go for the Rodrick Tai’s second try shows his team mentality, but also a little loss of spark for attack.
- Kyle Laybutt’s kicking game was superb. Yes there was one charge down, but the long kicks relieved pressure, and the short kicks in attack were spot on. They didn’t always lead to points, but applied pressure for Cook Islands.
- Nene McDonald’s increased involvement was a good thing for the Kumuls. Adding extra punch in attack, and extra danger in the air for opposition teams from Kumul kicks.
PNG v Cook Islands Match Stats
PNG v Cook Islands Teams
PNG KUMULS
1 Alex JOHNSTON
19 Jimmy Ngutlik
3 Nene MACDONALD
4 Justin OLAM
20 Rodrick TAI
6 Kyle LAYBUTT
7 Lachlan LAM
8 Wellington ALBERT
9 Edwin IPAPE
10 Sylvester NAMO
11 Nixon PUTT
12 Rhyse MARTIN
13 Jacob ALICK
15 Dan RUSSELL
16 MacKenzie Yei
18 Keven APPO
23 Watson BOAS
COOK ISLANDS
1 Kayal Iro
2 Paul Ulberg
3 Anthony Gelling
16 Reubenn Rennie
5 Steven Marsters
6 Brad Takairangi
4 Esan Marsters
10 Tepai Moeroa
9 Aaron Teroi
21 Vincent Rennie
11 Dominique Peyroux
12 Brendan Piakura
13 Zane Tetevano
8 Makahesi Makatoa
17 Rua Ngatikaura
18 Moses Noovao-McGreal
20 Davvy Moale
PNG v Cook Islands Preview
PNG almost pulled off one of the results of the World Cup so far when they pushed Tonga all the way in their 24-18 loss.
For all the talk of NRL stars for Tonga, PNG with just a handful of NRL stars were more than a match, and were a matter of inches away from stealing the game from Tonga. The two disallowed tries hurt – the second should have been given by the Video Referee or at least the shoulder charge tackle penalised. And the first try, no offence to Dan Russell who is an excellent forward/centre, but a specialist winger would have scored that.
But sadly in a slice of bad luck for the Kumuls, both Xavier Coates and Eene Gebbie will not be able to play for the rest of the tournament through injury. Given the position was possibly the only weak link vs Tonga it is unfortunate not to have depth there and shift Dan Russell back into the forwards.
PNG were strong up the middle with their no-name forwards, but what was even more encouraging in attack was they looked to add a little more flair than seen with PNG in previous seasons. The Kumuls attack certainly worried Tonga at times, so should cause the Cook Islands a few issues as well.
PNG will have to work on the missed tackles though, with their 47 being the fifth worst of the group stage of all teams.
A worry is whether the high of that performance and disappointment of the end result will be carried forward into this clash, so the Kumuls will need to be on their game. But we couldn’t have been more impressed with the effort against such a strong NRL heavy side in Tonga, so have no doubt PNG will rise to the occasion.
Despite our love for PNG rugby league, it’s not about about the Kumuls.
Cook Islands were quite impressive getting past Wales in their first game, and they currently top the team stats for Post Contact Metres for all teams in round 1 of the group stages and are second for run metres and fourth for tackle breaks for all teams in Week 1 games.
Kayal Iro impressed at fullback for Cook Islands against Wales, and centre Anthony Gelling ran for over 300 metres in the game, which is currently the best of any player at the World Cup so far.
A big opportunity awaits for Cook Islands if they can beat the Kumuls here, as it sets up a knockout match with England the likely opponents.
Obviously if PNG want to build on their excellent performances of recent years and make that knockout stage they must win this match. Not forgetting if they do make the knockout stage that they beat a similarly strong Great Britain back in 2019. One can dream anyway. No complacency though, a big moment for PNG rugby league awaits.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Well we said Edwin Ipape for PNG’s first game, and we will say him again. The PNG hooker was immense with his running, dummy half work, and general electricity around the park. The Cook Islands will have their hands full in the middle of the field.
An unsung hero of the Kumuls recent success is the five eighth Kyle Laybutt and he and Lachlan Lam were very good against Tonga, but we have a feeling Laybutt might just have a breakout game v Cook Islands and direct the Kumuls to victory. Not only in attack, but his defence is very underrated and is capable of a big hit or two. Ask Viliame Kikau.
We’re not sure if we saw the very best from Justin Olam in game one, so perhaps with a run under his belt he may turn it on against the Cook Islands.
PREDICTION
PNG 32 Cook Islands 12
PNG v Cook Islands Pre Match Stats
CURRENT WORLD CUP AVERAGE STATS
WORLD CUP STATS
