RLWC 2017 Match Preview: Papua New Guinea vs. United States

Author: weststigers.com.au
Timestamp: Sat 11 Nov 2017, 03:00 PM

Papua New Guinea will look to close out the group stage with another winning performance when they take on the United States in Port Moresby on Sunday.

After a dominant win over Wales to start the tournament, the Kumuls were made to work for the points against Ireland last weekend, but showed tremendous resolve in defence to grind out a tight 14-6 victory and keep themselves on top of Pool C.

With one game to play against the winless United States (who have conceded over 100 points in the opening two games), Papua New Guinea will certainly make it three from three on Sunday and confirm their spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

That will set up a mouthwatering showdown against England in Melbourne next Sunday, and you get the feeling that the Kumuls may well have one eye on that fixture already. The keys for them against the United States will not be about running up the score, but getting good combinations and improving their discipline from last week, which will give them the best possible chance of upsetting their more fancied opponents.

The United States have been brave without a lot of talent in their team, and will relish the opportunity to play in front of a raucous crowd at the National Football Stadium.

However, you get the feeling the crowd will be seeing plenty of points for the home side.

Pool C/D: PNG vs. United States

MATCH DETAILS

Date — Sunday, November 12, 2017

Time — 4:00pm AEDT

Venue — Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

LIVE STREAM AND TV INFORMATION

Live Stream — Channel 7’s https://7live.com.au/ (Australia only)

TV — Click here for a full country-by-country list of TV broadcasts.

TEAM NEWS

Papua New Guinea		USA
David Mead (capt.)	1	Corey Makelim
Justin Olam	2	Ryan Burroughs
Kato Ottio	3	Junior Vaivai
Nene Macdonald	4	Jonathan Alley
Garry Lo	5	Bureta Faraimo
Lachlan Lam	6	Kristian Freed
Watson Boas	7	Tui Samoa
Moses Meninga	8	Eddy Pettybourne
James Segeyaro	9	David Marando
Luke Page	10	Mark Offerdahl (capt.)
Rhyse Martin	11	Danny Howard
Willie Minoga	12	Joe Eichner
Paul Aiton	13	Nicholas Newlin
Kurt Baptiste	14	Sam Tochterman-Talbott
Stargroth Amean	15	Fotukava Malu
Nixon Putt	16	Martwain Johnston
Thompson Teteh	17	Gabriel Farley

Reserves (PNG) — Rod Griffin, Wartovo Puara,Enock Maki, Ase Boas

Reserves (USA) — Steve Howard, Andrew Kneisly, David Ulch, Joshua Rice

RLWC STANDINGS — POOL C

	Played	Won	Lost	F/A	Points
Papua New Guinea	2	2	0	+52	4
Ireland	2	1	1	+16	2
Wales	2	0	2	-110	0

RLWC STANDINGS — POOL D

	Played	Won	Lost	F/A	Points
Fiji	2	2	0	+112	4
Italy	2	1	1	+22	2
USA	2	0	2	-92	0

HISTORY

The exciting PNG will face off against USA Hawks for their first ever Test match against each other, with the struggling American side facing an uphill battle against Kumuls, who have not lost a test match at home since their 2001 loss to Australia.

PLAYER TO FOLLOW — Garry Lo, Papua New Guinea

The outside backs have been getting through plenty of work for the Kumuls, and none have been more impressive than PNG winger Garry Lo who is coming off an impressive performance against Ireland. Lo was a key force in his side’s win — running for 153 metres and eight tackle breaks while also adding two linebreaks and a try. And who could forget his try-saving tackle as well just before the half time break! Look for the powerhouse winger to keep up his impressive form and get through plenty of work against the United States in preparation for their quarterfinal showdown with England, where his individual battle with Jermaine McGillvary looms as a mouthwatering clash.

PREDICTION

Papua New Guinea have certainly had the biggest advantage of any team this tournament — playing every game at home with good turnarounds in between — but even in that, Michael Marum’s side have been very impressive. The United States simply haven’t, and given how PNG dispatched of Wales, this one could get ugly. PNG by 54.