PNG LNG Kumuls

Media manager, Joanna Lester, says the Kumuls will touch down in Port Moresby at 12pm.

Only four teams remain in the contest for the ultimate prize in international rugby league.

England will play Tonga at Mt. Smart Stadium, New Zealand, on Saturday, November 25. The semi-final will kick off at 6pm.

In the other semi-final, Australia will clash with Fiji at Brisbane Stadium, Australia, on Friday, November 24, at 7pm.

(Photo credit: NRL photos)

"It was a solid game against England,” says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

“Our team played hard, and they can now learn from the experience and look towards the next World Cup.”

The PM says regardless of the result in Melbourne, outstanding games have been played by the Kumuls in this World Cup tournament.

"They have again united the nation as we watched the games, and we have all been impressed,” continues O’Neill.

Kumuls coach Michael Marum said they were in trouble after missing so many tackles early, allowing England to power home. Losing their skipper in the second minute also didn't help.

"It started off when we lost our captain David Mead through that first set," Marum said. 

Despite this afternoon’s 36-6 win over the PNG LNG Kumuls, Wayne Bennett’s England only completed 25 of 45 sets.

The Kumuls were dealt a mighty blow 90 seconds into the match when captain David Mead came off second best after a try saving tackle on England’s Luke Gale.

After surviving early raids from the English, the Kumuls went on the counter-attack and came agonisingly close to drawing first blood after Kato Ottio dropped a bomb in the in-goal.

Repeat sets to England produced the first points with Jermaine McGillvary flying over on the wing.

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