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


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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)

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