Papua New Guinea (10) 32 |
Tries: Tai (2), Laybutt, Martin, Lam, Olam Goals: Martin (4) |
Cook Islands (8) 16 |
Tries: Ulberg, Gelling, Iro Goals: Steven Marsters Penalties: Steven Marsters |
Papua New Guinea kept their hopes of reaching the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals live with a six-try triumph implicit the Cook Islands successful Warrington.
Rodrick Tai and Kyle Laybutt crossed for PNG successful the archetypal fractional earlier Paul Ulberg's effort for Cook Islands chopped the shortage to 10-8 astatine the break.
Rhyse Martin, Tai and Lachlan Lam past crossed for PNG aft the restart.
Anthony Gelling and Kayal Iro scored precocious consolation tries either broadside of a Justin Olam score.
After a narrow nonaccomplishment to Tonga past clip out, 2017 quarter-finalists PNG needed to debar decision against the Cook Islands to enactment successful contention for a spot successful the knockout stage.
Barring an improbable plaything successful points difference, their triumph successful Warrington means they volition beforehand if they lucifer the Cook Islands' effect against Tonga connected Sunday. PNG look Wales successful their last radical lucifer connected Monday.
Papua New Guinea: Johnston, Ngutlik, MacDonald, Olam, Tai, Laybutt, Lam, Albert, Ipape, Namo, Put, Martin, Alick.
Interchanges: Russell, Yei, Appo, Boas.
Cook Islands: Iro, Ulberg, Gelling, Rennie, Marsters, Takairangi, Marsters, Moeroa, Teroi, Rennie, Peyroux, Piakura, Tetevano.
Interchanges: Makatoa, Ngatikaura, Noovao-McGreal, Moale.