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PNG vs Ireland |
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2017 Rugby League World Cup |
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Papua New Guinea National Football Stadium | ||
PNG | Ireland | |
14 | SCORE | 6 |
3 | Tries | 1 |
1 | Conversions | 1 |
0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Papua New Guinea have taken the next step towards a quarter-finals berth with an eight-point win over Ireland in the second week of the Rugby League World Cup.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Papua New Guinea 14
Ireland 6
The Papua New Guinea Kumuls play host to Ireland in a crucial second-round encounter in Port Moresby. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5pm (AEDT).
After the heroics of the Irish last week against the highly preferred Italians, they come to Port Moresby with much hope and a real chance of moving through to the quarter-final stage with a win against the home side.
That home ground advantage cannot be understated in this clash with a jam-packed PNG National Football Stadium playing host to the contest.
It will be noisy, frantic and passionate, and both teams will need composure to secure a victory that essentially puts either side through to the quarter-finals.
Liam Finn will be the key once again for the Irish and his performance against Italy really showed his class.
The big forwards worked tirelessly in the heat of Cairns and the Irish will be hoping for something a little milder in terms of weather after the oppression of the sub-tropics. If Finn is able to steer the ship as he did in Cairns the visitors might be able to shock the home side.
For Papua New Guinea, they are not short on talent and racked up the half-century against the Welsh in their opening match.
NRL star and captain David Mead showed his class with a hat-trick yet they will also look towards Nene Macdonald and James Segeyaro to provide the steadying influence required against a well-disciplined Irish team.
Prediction
It is hard to see the Irish winning this one. With local support and some real class across the backline, they could struggle to contain the Kumuls who are a dangerous team when they find their rhythm. After a tight opening twenty, the home side will kick away score heavily in the second half.
Papua New Guinea 36, Ireland 14
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