PNG thump Wales to set up Rugby League World Cup quarterfinal clash with England

PNG flyer Jimmy Ngutlik sprints through the Wales defence to score his side’s third try in Doncaster. — GARETH COPLEY/GETTY IMAGES

Kumuls barely got out of second gear as they ran in six tries in front of 6968 fans to round out the group stages of the tournament.

The victory, which guarantees Stanley Tepend's side a spot in the 2025 edition in France, sets up a rematch of the 2017 quarterfinal with the English on Saturday (Sunday NZT) in Wigan.

PNG were comfortably beaten when the two sides met in Melbourne five years ago.

But in the intervening period they have knocked off the Great Britain Lions and pushed Tonga to the wire.

Under the guidance of Tepend and his assistant coach Shane Flanagan the Kumuls have a new-found defensive steel.

Along with their attacking panache and the form of Melbourne centre Justin Olam, who delivered his most impressive showing of the tournament so far, they will give England plenty to think about.

Crafty five-eighth Kyle Laybutt put the Kumuls ahead after just eight minutes and the Kumuls followed up with tries to back-row pair Dan Russell and Nixon Putt.

The pick of the bunch went to rising Wests Tigers winger Jimmy Ngutlik.

The PNG flyer showed a clean pair of heels to burst through the middle of the Welsh defence and run in to score from 60 metres out for the try of the night.

The Kumuls led 24-0 at the break, with Putt adding a second to his tally not long after halftime.

In torrid conditions, neither side threatened much for the remainder of the second half but Ngutlik dived on a loose ball to score his second try in the dying stages.

AT A GLANCE

Rugby League World Cup quarterfinals

Friday, November 4

Australia v Lebanon at Kirklees Stadium, Huddersfield, 7.30pm (8.30am Saturday NZT)

Saturday, November 5

England v Papua New Guinea at DW Stadium, Wigan, 2.30pm (3.30am Sunday NZT)

New Zealand v Fiji at MKM Stadium, Hull, 7.30pm (8.30am Sunday NZT)

Sunday, November 6

Tonga v Samoa at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, 2.30pm (3.30am Monday NZT)

Comments

Sexiest woman alive' Paige Spiranac almost suffers wardrobe malfunction on golf course

Golf sensation Paige Spiranac risked a wardrobe malfunction while placing a ball on her tee before unleashing a huge drive she perfected as a professional. The social media personality and golf instructor, who was named as the Sexiest Woman Alive in Maxim's 2022 Hot 100 list, uploaded the clip to Instagram where she has 3.6million followers. The 29-year-old's latest upload has brought in 122,000 likes in under 24 hours, with some viewers noting that her short skirt almost rose than she might've bargained for during the placing of the ball. READ MORE: Paige Spiranac net worth as fortune rockets thanks to sexy calendar and Instagram posts One follower wrote in response: "I see what you did there." With a second added: "Beautiful swing." A third said: "I think I need to start golfing again!" And a fourth agreed: "That swing and outfit is on fire!" Earlier in the week Spiranac admitted that she felt under pressure to look go

SUNDERLAND SHOULD LOOK TO STRIKE PERMANENT TRANSFER AGREEMENT WITH EVERTON IN JANUARY: OPINION

SEARC SHARE TWEET BeyondWords Sunderland have been struggling without a recognised striker since mid-September, but head coach Tony Mowbray was bolstered last weekend with the return of Ellis Simms from injury. The Black Cats suffered two doses of cruel misfortune two months ago – firstly with talisman Ross Stewart pulling up in the warm-up before facing Middlesbrough with a quad injury, and then just a over a week later it was Simms’ turn to be struck down. The toe injury that Simms suffered was only supposed to keep him out for a few weeks, but it ended up being much longer than that – over six weeks of action was missed and in that time, Sunderland won just one league match and started to slide down the table as a result. Most Read on Football League World “There was interest“ - Virgil van Dijk opens up on possible transfer move to Sunderland "It would certainly be on-brand" – Sunderland eye 22-year-old ahead of January: The verdict "Has got amazing talent" -

NFF unfair to Nigeria’s first ‘Centurion’ Mmadu

Former Super Falcons stars Stella Mbachu and Chioma Ajunwa have expressed their displeasure over the continued exclusion of their fellow ex-international Maureen Mmadu from the honours list by the relevant authorities in the country. On September 11, 2007, Mmadu became the first Nigerian, male or female, to hit the 100-game milestone for the country, when she featured for the Falcons against Sweden at the Women’s World Cup in China. The match ended 1-1. In the process, Mmadu also became the first African woman to play 100 international games. But since then, the feat hasn’t received the deserved recognition, while three Super Eagles players Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo and Ahmed Musa, who also hit the century of caps years later, were honoured. Last year, the Nigeria Football Federation gifted Musa N10m after the Super Eagles captain played his 100th Nigeria game in the Eagles’ 2-1 win over Cape Verde during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. “The NFF will give Ahmed Musa N10m for reac

SportMate Blog

Search This Blog