2017 Rugby League World Cup

Kumuls leading 8-6 at break

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)

Marum: Ireland a tough side

“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. 

Ireland in top form ahead of Kumuls clash

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.

Mead commends forwards

Mead attributed his tries to the hard work that the forwards did in opening up try scoring opportunities.

It took just five minutes from kick off for the PNG captain to capitalise on their home ground advantage, receiving the ball 15 metres out from the Welsh goal line then getting past to score the Kumuls’ first try of the match.

Justin Olam let his season with the Melbourne Storm feeder club show when he combined well with Garry Lo in creating holes in the Wales defence for try scoring opportunities.

Sloppy Kiwis warned to improve

The Kiwis threw caution-to-the-wind for much of their opening game at the Rugby League World Cup, resulting in them making 17 errors and completing just 62 per cent of their 42 uses with the ball.

Bennett satisfied with England effort

England only trailed by eight points late in the match, but Josh Dugan's runaway try sealed the Kangaroos' victory with a minute to play.

"I was pretty happy with it overall actually," he said. 

Aussies edge England in Cup opener

The Kangaroos scored three tries to one but England showed they were more than capable of matching their old foe.

While the result didn't go England's way their bigger concern will be the fitness of star forward Sam Burgess, who was sidelined in the first half with a knee injury.

A blow to Kumuls’ preparations

Coach Michael Marum told reporters after the Captain’s run today that Griffin sustained a knee injury at training on Thursday.

Marum was openly disappointed, saying it is a blow to the Kumuls’ preparations.

Meanwhile, Willie Minoga has been promoted from the bench to replace Griffin and Marum is confident the PNG’s World Cup Ambassador will do his best.

However, it was not all bad news as Ase Boas ran freely and has been cleared to play.

Marum confirmed the 18-man side today with one to be omitted an hour before kick-off tomorrow.

Kumuls out and about at VC

PNG has never beaten Wales before and they hope to rewrite the record books this time around.

Two sleeps to the first 2017 Rugby League World Cup match between PNG Kumuls and Wales and some members of the Kumuls took time out of camp to take photos and sign autographs.

It was also an ideal time for keen rugby league followers to purchase their world cup tickets for Saturday’s match.

The home ground advantage will be a big boost for the Kumuls’ morale and it showed in today’s public outreach.

Digicel Play to broadcast all world cup games!

If you have not bought a ticket to watch the PNG Kumuls play live then don’t be too worried because Digicel Play will bring you the Kumuls match and all other RLWC matches.

If you are a Digicel Play subscriber then you are in for quality entertainment. Digicel Play will be broadcasting all RLWC matches in high definition through its TVWAN Action and Events 1 channels.

With the aim of broadcasting all games in the duration of the world cup, Digicel Play will be broadcasting matches which will clash with airing times of other games on the Events 1 channel.