Here’s what you might have missed overnight at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England.
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Papua New Guinea have kept their quarter-final hopes alive with a 32-16 victory over the Cook Islands in Warrington.
Only two points separated the proud rugby league nations at half-time, but the second stanza was all the Kumuls, running in four tries in 27 minutes to put themselves back on track for a quarter-final campaign.
Also overnight, Ireland prop Jaimin Jolliffe will miss the game against New Zealand after unsuccessfully contesting his ban for a high tackle, while team-mate Liam Byrne and Fiji's Tui Kamikamica will also miss the final round.
With Byrne suspended for two matches on separate dangerous contact charges, the Wolfhounds pulled out all stops to clear Jolliffe but the judiciary panel upheld the charge and the Titans prop will miss the Kiwis game.
Kamikamica will miss Fiji's final pool match against Scotland after pleading guilty to a Grade A dangerous contact charge.
The main takeaways
- The Kumuls' victory means they must beat a winless Wales to set up a likely quarter-final clash with hosts England.
- Rhyse Martin missed his first conversion attempt, ending his streak of 41 successful shots at goal in a row and leaving him with a share of the world record with Liam Finn and Jamie Ellis.
- The possession was dead even between the two sides throughout the match, at 50 per cent each.
- The Kumuls were significantly stronger in their tackle breaks finishing with 41 while Cook Islands had 29.
- Cook Islands stalwart Anthony Gelling retired from international rugby league after tonight’s World Cup loss to Papua New Guinea.
Star performers
Kumuls skipper Rhyse Martin scored a try and kicked four goals in his player-of-the-match performance. In a standout performance, Martin's first conversion attempt denied him a place in the record books with 42 back-to-back successful goals when he failed to convert his side's opening try. Winger Rodrick Tai was a constant threat for the Kumuls, scoring a double and clocking 164 running metres. Prop MacKenzie Yei was also strong for the winning side, with several strong carries.
Martin named player of the match
What the result means
PNG's win means they must beat a winless Wales next week to set up a likely quarter-final clash with hosts England. While Cook Islands will need to upset Tonga and overturn a points differential to keep their finals hopes alive.
Recap
- Match report: Kumuls overcome Kukis in dominant second half
- Key injuries: Nil.
Match Highlights: Papua New Guinea v Cook Islands