PNG Kumuls fan Shannon Meyer reviews PNG’s important win over a tenacious Cook Islands team.
SCOREBOARD
PNG KUMULS 32
Tries: Rodrick Tai 2 (14, 46) Kyle Laybutt (23), Rhyse Martin (41), Lachlan Lam (56), Justin Olam (68)
Goals: Rhyse Martin 4 (24, 42, 57, 69)
COOK ISLANDS 16
Tries: Paul Ulberg (34( Anthony Gelling (60), Kayal Iro (77)
Goals: Steven Marsters 2 (10 – pen, 35)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty ImagesThe big Group D clash between the PNG Kumuls and Cook Island from Warrington was taken out by the Kumuls, who needed the win to keep their knockout hopes alive.
Both teams started the game brightly enough, with the power game for both sides on show, but in the 7th minute a looping Lachlan Lam pass was intercepted by the Cook Islands’ Anthony Gelling and opened up the game. Gelling looked certain to score but was hunted down by Justin Olam and Lam. The Cook Islands then attacked the PNG line with multiple sets but were repelled until they were awarded a penalty and took the two points on offer, although they possibly should have continued attacking. PNG can also thank Kyle Laybutt for a super try saving tackle right on the line in that period.
PNG scored the opening try of the night, and it was a long-range special. PNG winger Rodrick Tai looked to take a quick tap from a 20 metre restart and did just that, appearing to take the Cook Islands defence by surprise. Tai simply broke through the line with ease and then turned on the speed to run 80 metres to score. Rhyse Martin missed his first goal kick in 42 attempts, sadly missing out on securing the world record. The score was 4-2 after 15 minutes.
On the back of consecutive penalties PNG were in great territory and the Kumuls took full advantage scoring their second try of the night through Laybutt. The underrated five eighth took advantage of some second phase play, got the ball 10 metres from the line and jinked, weaved and broke through the Cook Islands line defence to score. Martin got over the disappointment of missing the world record by converting from nearly the same spot. PNG now led 10-2 with 15 minutes until half-time.
Trouble for the Kumuls in the 28th minute when interchange forward MacKenzie Yei was sent to the sin bin for high contact. This gave the Cook Islands a big advantage: an extra player and an attacking set on the Kumuls’ line. PNG held out initially. And again a few minutes later. But not the third time.
The Cook Islands eventually turned their player advantage into points, with Paul Ulberg scoring in the corner as the Kumuls ran out of defenders. The try was set up by Esan Masters and converted by Steven Marsters from the sideline to make the score 10-8 with four minutes until half time and two minutes until PNG had 13 players.
PNG Kumuls couldn’t have started the second half any better as they scored with their first set. It was set up by a charging McKenzie Yei, and charged 50 metre from the kick off before he was somehow stopped by Kayal Iro. By the end of the set Rhyse Martin had crashed over for the Kumuls, the try set up by Kyle Laybutt. Martin converted his own try to extend the lead back out to eight points.
PNG followed that try up a few minutes later and it was Tai who scored his second for the match. It was set up via a Laybutt cross-field kick, batted back by Nene McDonald to Martin then Alex Johnston who set up Tai for the try. But not after the PNG winger slipped over and had to shuffle his way over the line. Martin’s radar was now off, missing the conversion, but PNG still led 20-8.
It took another ten minutes, but PNG edged closer to victory with another try, this time to Lam who was in support after Justin Olam charged through the Cook Islands defence. Olam managed to get an offload away despite dragging two defenders with him. Lam scored under the posts to give Martin an easy conversion. The score was now 26-8, but with Group D so tight, more points could be crucial.
The Cook Islands reduced the margin through Gelling after sustained pressure on the PNG line caused by multiple penalties from the Kumuls. Gelling, who had been strong for Cook Islands, charged at the Kumuls’ line and eventually got the ball down backhanded while facing his own line. It has to be said, it looked like Gelling had dropped the ball, and that the same generosity wasn’t applied with any of PNG’s video referee decisions in their match against Tonga. The conversion was missed and the score stayed 26-12 with 20 minutes to go.
A big moment in the 66th minute as Cook Islands’ Reubenn Rennie was sent to sin bin for a lifting tackle on Wellington Albert (which is some effort). Luckily for everyone involved Albert landed safely, which probably saved Rennie from being sent off rather than binned.
The Kumuls eventually took advantage of the extra player when the PNG’s NRL contingent combined. Olam scored the try and it was set up by a bullet Johnston pass. A little concern for Olam as he appeared to take some knees in the back as he scored. PNG can’t afford to lose him, for experience and they are already two wingers short in their squad. Martin converted to make it 32-12 and PNG should be home from here.
The Cook Islands secured the final try of the match, a nice reward for a determined effort against PNG. It was set up with Gelling’s second intercept of the match. While he couldn’t finish off the intercept, Kayal Iro scored a play later on the other side of the field. That was the final score of the match.
PNG were arguably not as good tonight as they were against Tonga last week, but they were still good enough to beat a Cook Islands side that gave them plenty. Things to take away for PNG was their excellent goal-line defence when they had sustained periods of pressure, and their attack seemed to sharpen up in the second half. They will need it if they are going to make the knockout stage and be competitive. At least they dealt well with the pressure of being favourites and needing to win to progress.
Cook Islands it has to be said are making great progress like all Pacific nations are currently in an exciting time for international rugby league.
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