Papua New Guinea 36 Wales 0: Kumuls book RLWC2021 quarter-final showdown with England

England will be expected to come out of Saturday’s tie at Wigan on top, but PNG’s only defeat in the group stages came in the final seconds against much-fancied Tonga and they have players good enough to give the hosts a genuine test.

Wales have not won a World Cup tie since beating Papua New Guinea in a quarter-final 22 years ago, but went into their final group game knowing qualification for the knockout phase was still mathematically possible.

They needed to win by 22 points or more, however and a tall order became mission impossible within 10 minutes, by which time PNG had established a 12-0 lead and a firm grip on the game.

Having led against both Cook Islands and Tonga and competed well in both matches, coach John Kear’s side have made up in determination and spirit for what they lack in star quality.

In front of a 6,968 crowd, there was no shortage of effort and defensive resolve once again and, after trailing 24-0 at the break, Wales could be proud of their second half effort.

PNG wing Jimmy Ngutlik, who plays for Western Suburbs Magpies in Australia’s second tier New South Wales Cup, caught the eye, particularly with a fine break through the middle to score from inside his own half.

Stand-off Kyle Laybutt, also out of lower level rugby Down Under, also scored a fine solo touchdown and combined well with half-back Lachlan Lamb.

Hooker Edwin Ipape, who played alongside Lam for Leigh in this year’s Championship-winning campaign, is another threat at the heart of a big, strong and mobile pack.

If they can breach England’s defence, the Kumuls will be confident of their score increasing in sixes, Leeds Rhinos’ Rhyse Martin converting all six touchdowns.

Laybutt opened the scoring and Nixon Putt, Ngutlik and Dan Russell also crossed before half-time.

The impressive Putt powered over from close-range early in the second period and the next try didn’t come until the final moments when Ngutlik followed through to score from Laybutt’s bomb.

Papua New Guinea: Johnston, Tai, MacDonald, Olam, Ngutlik, Laybutt, Lam, Albert, Ipape, Waine, Putt, Martin, Alicjk. Subs Tenza, Russell, Tanabi, Simbiken.

Wales: Aekins, K Evans, W Evans, Kear, R Williams, O Olds, Ralph, Walker, Fozard, Bennion, Lloyd, Antrobus, Burke. Subs Fleming, Butler, Curtis Davies, Connor Davies.

Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia).

Attendance: 6,968.