2017 Rugby League World Cup

The English picked up from where they left off in the first half, running in four tries in the second term.

The Kumuls’ only points came from a Garry Lo try in the 59th minute that was converted by Rhyse Martin.

England will face off with Tonga in the semi-finals next Saturday in New Zealand.

(File picture)

Two tries to winger Jermaine McGillvary put the English up by eight points after 18 minutes.

A blunder by Garry Lo at the back proved costly for the Kumuls, with front rower Alex Walmsley barging over in the 32^nd minute.

Gareth Widdop added the extras to push England’s lead out to more than two converted tries.

Second half is now underway at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

More to follow…

Photo credit: www.rlwc2017.com

In Saturday's end-to-end affair, which will go down as one of the most-exciting tussles of the tournament, Tonga's first-half display was just enough to get them over the line.

On the back of the Hunters’ success in taking out the Queensland Cup this season, PNG veteran Paul Aiton has given the national side an on-par chance of sending England home early.

Speaking from Melbourne, Aiton said it’s a 50-50 as far as the Kumuls are concerned; they are training to win!

PNG coach Michael Marum has left out Lachlan Lam following his sensational two-try debut against the United States, opting for experience in the halves with Ase Boas.

New Zealand v Fiji

The Kumuls looked to be tight-knit and were in good spirits during their training sessions throughout the week, frequently sharing jokes and laughter.

There's no doubting the Kangaroos look a far more formidable football team with Billy Slater in the No.1 jersey. 

They tinkered with the formation of their side last week and handed Holmes the responsibility of playing fullback against Lebanon.

Australia v Samoa

The Minister told the Kumuls at a farewell dinner, after their 64-nil victory over USA, that the national side has now equalled the 2000 World Cup quarter-finals performance in England.

17 years on from the Kumuls experience then, they now have the opportunity to meet another Northern hemisphere rival in England in the quarter-final in Melbourne, Australia.

Raminai used the opportunity to thank the 2017 World Cup organisers and sponsors Oil Search and NCD, among others for the successful staging of the three pool matches in PNG.