PNG LNG Kumuls

The win was sealed three minutes out from full time with a try to halfback Watson Boas in front of another sell-out crowd in Port Moresby on Sunday afternoon.

It was the Wolfhounds who opened the scoring after four minutes through hooker Michael McIlorum, who scored after Kumuls captain, David Mead, failed to ground the ball in the in-goal area.

After dominating possession, the Kumuls finally got on the board ten minutes later.

The first try came from some razzle dazzle football which created space out wide for a barnstorming Gary Lo.

Kumuls winger Garry Lo was the difference, running for a game-high 200 metres, breaking 15 tackles and scoring a try.

His performance was a highlight in an error-riddled contest, with both sides pushing the pass and struggling to execute when it mattered most.

Leading 8-6 at half-time, PNG could not put the game away and it left the door open for an unlikely Irish victory.

Second-row forward Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook came within inches of becoming an Irish hero, knocking on over the goal line with 10 minutes to go.

This afternoon's crowd kept the home side on a high, defeating Ireland 14 points to 6.

Just five minutes into the match and Ireland drew first blood through number 9 Michael McIlorum with a successful conversion, seeing PNG trail 6-nil.

Then came Garry Lo and Ireland were lost for answers.

The Wolfhounds could not contain PNG’s mean machine, who went in flying with a try in the corner.

The Irish were first on the board after Michael McIlorum scored in the fourth minute.

The Kumuls hit back, scoring twice in the space of ten minutes to take the lead with tries to Gary Lo and Nene Macdonald.

Rhyse Martin failed to convert PNG’s tries, leaving the score at 8.

More to follow…

(Garry Lo driving through Irish defence)

“They will be a tough side. They’ve been based out of Cairns and are used to the heat and have acclimatised well.

“But we’re going to go out there and play well against them. We’re not thinking that it’s hot up here so they will struggle, that was our advantage over Wales last weekend.

“Ireland is a totally different side with 14 Super League players,” said Marum.

Tomorrow’s Pool C match kicks off at 4pm at the Oil Search National Football Stadium. 

Great focus ahead of the game, the Ireland squad is looking forward to facing home side PNG Kumuls tomorrow (Nov 5).

This morning’s captain’s run was Ireland’s way of getting into the momentum following the week’s public outreach with National Capital District residents.

Tomorrow’s clash against the PNG LNG Kumuls will determine who ends up in the quarter finals, making it out of the pool matches and PNG hopes to be that team after they overcome this Ireland outfit.