The Stats Zone
November 2 2024, 12:25 · Rob Esteva

Papua New Guinea vs Cook Islands Preview & Prediction | 2024 Pacific Bowl

Papua New Guinea vs Cook Islands Preview & Prediction | 2024 Pacific Bowl

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Papua New Guinea face the Cook Islands in this final group stage match and will secure a promotion/relegation play-off with a victory against New Zealand next weekend

START DATE/TIME: Sunday 3rd November, 2024, UK – 5:00am / US ET – 1:00am / Saturday 2nd November, US PT – 10:00pm

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK - This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix / AUS - This match will be broadcast live on Watch NRL

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK - This match will be streamed on SkyGo / AUS - This match will be streamed on Watch NRL

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: LACHLAN LAM TO MAKE HISTORY AND SKIPPER PNG

Lachlan Lam will make history in this match as he has been named captain of the Kumuls, 29 years after his father skippered the national team. The Leigh Leopards star will follow in his father’s footsteps and will be desperate to lead his side to victory against the Cook Islands. Skipper Rhyse Martin misses out for personal reasons so he is replaced by Dan Russell.

SQUAD:

1 Nene Macdonald

2 Elijah Roltinga

3 Robert Mathias

4 Rodrick Tai

5 Robert Derby

6 Kyle Laybutt

7 Lachlan Lam

8 Valentine Richard

9 Judah Rimbu

10 Jacob Alick-Wiencke

11 Dan Russell

12 Jeremiah Simbiken

13 Jack de Belin

 

Interchange

14 Liam Horne

15 Koso Bandi

16 Sylvester Namo

17 Ila Alu

 

Reserves

19 Morea Morea

20 Benji Kot 

 

COOK ISLANDS: STUNNING RETURN FOR VETERAN ALEX GLENN

Former Broncos forward Alex Glenn has answered the call some three years after retiring at the end of the 2021 NRL season. The 36-year-old will be on the bench in a stunning return to action. Mason Teague comes in on the wing while Junior Teroi and Makahesi Makatoa are named on the bench.

SQUAD:

1 Esom Ioka

2 Steven Marsters

3 Reubenn Rennie

4 Delahia Wigmore

15 Mason Teague

6 Brad Takairangi

7 Esan Marsters

8 Tepai Moeroa

9 Rua Ngatikaura

10 Davvy Moale

11 Zane Tetevano

12 Reuben Porter

13 Pride Petterson-Robati 

 

Interchange

16 Rhys Dakin

18 Junior Teroi

20 Makahesi Makatoa

21 Alex Glenn

 

Reserves

17 Justin Makirere

5 Rixson Andrew

PAPUA NEW GUINEA VS COOK ISLANDS PREDICTION

After New Zealand’s loss to Tonga on Saturday, the Kumuls know that a victory here will assure them of a match against the Kiwis in the promotion/relegation play-off next week. PNG are without Rhyse Martin which does weaken them a tough but they should still have far too much quality for the Cook Islands. The visitors are playing for pride with the chance of topping the group being very remote. They will compete hard but the lack of quality will see them fall short. We expect PNG to get the win and pull away late in the game, or build up a lead and then ease off the gas. They should win and potentially cover the 19.5 point handicap too.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA VS COOK ISLANDS TIP: PAPUA NEW GUINEA TO WIN -19.5 POINTS