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
