Wales

Loop PNG observed a very controlled crowd as both ends of the roads leading to the main entrance of the stadium was blocked off to vehicles.

Only people were allowed to enter and stand in line to go into the stadium.

It was noted also that police were on high alert as well since the morning to maintain crowd control and normalcy.

Police say they will not tolerate any misbehaving from the people who will be going in, let alone the crowd that will be hanging around outside the stadium.

The Welshmen braced our shores ahead of Saturday’s showdown against the home side.

Arriving to a warm traditional welcome, the Wales team all in red looked cool, calm and collected.

Bracing the Port Moresby heat, these Welshmen have come with only one agenda and that is to win their first RLWC match against a strong PNG Kumuls outfit.

The best part about the Wales team is that some familiar faces from the Intrust Super Cup competition and NRL feeder clubs will face their PNG Hunters opposition once more.

In a winner-takes-all clash for the runners-up spot in Group D behind Serbia, McClean hammered home just after half-time as Ireland put on a defensive masterclass to deny the 2016 European Championship semi-finalists, who had not lost at home in four years.

The result means Gareth Bale, who was missing through injury, and his team-mates will spend a summer at home while Ireland can look forward to a two-legged play-off for a place in Russia.

Martin O'Neill's side find out their opponents next Tuesday.

Wales bagged a second consecutive win over a Pacific team, beating Manu Samoa 19-17 after trailing for most of the match.

Wing Steffan Evans scored in the 72nd minute to win it for Wales.

Earlier Alapati Leiua and Manu Leiataua had crossed the line for Samoa.

Robin McBryde told BBC Wales his team showed immense character.

"After going 10-0 down early on in the first half, it's like 20-0 in these conditions, you know, and we stayed in there and we soaked it up," McBryde said.

Paul Alo-Emile gets his opportunity at tight head prop, with Census Johnston having to return to New Zealand for personal reasons.

Galu Taufale is set to earn his first cap on the openside flank, while Alafoti Faosiliva earns a start at number eight.

Faifili Levave and Vavae Tuilagi are set to add loose forward impact off the bench.

The tournament organisers said on Friday that its Untoward Incident Review Group had concluded France failed to comply with the "HIA (head injury assessment) protocol and/or the relevant laws of the game."

It added, however, that there was "no clear evidence" of any intent to obtain a competitive advantage. France won the game 20-18 with a try scored 20 minutes after the end of normal time.

Wales have not reached a World Cup since 1958 and they remain four points behind their opponents at the Group D summit after goals from Aaron Ramsey and Mitrovic.

Although Wales' winless run goes on without suspended star man Gareth Bale, they will surely ruefully reflect on the opportunities passed up in four consecutive draws prior to visiting Belgrade - rather than a hard-fought point here - if they fail to close the gap to Serbia.

The unwanted streak includes a draw secured by Mitrovic's late header for Serbia in Cardiff in November.

The 28-year-old Everton full-back was felled by a poor challenge from Wales full-back Neil Taylor during the 0-0 draw with Wales at the Aviva Stadium.

Taylor was given a straight red card for the challenge, which left Coleman in clear distress and cast a pall over the remainder of the World Cup Qualifier.

Coleman was visited in hospital on Friday night by Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane.

The RLWC2017 is scheduled from October 26-December 2 and will be co-hosted by Australia, New Zealand and PNG.

PNG will host national team Kumuls’ three pool matches at the National Football Stadium (NFS) against Wales (October 28), Ireland (November 5) and the USA (November 12).

RLWC2017 general manager commercial and marketing, Rohan Sawyer, said it’s an exciting year for rugby league in PNG.

Sawyer thanked the Government and Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko for their support of RLWC2017.

In a battle of the two top ranked teams in Group D, Wales led twice thanks to a Joe Allen stunner and a Kevin Wimmer own-goal but Arnautovic scored two well-taken equalisers.

The result leaves four teams all on four points in the group after both Republic of Ireland and Serbia won their respective matches. 

Austria came into the clash on a 10-game winning streak in European Championship and World Cup qualifiers and had not lost a competitive home fixture since Germany beat them in 2012.