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.
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