Tue 18 Oct: RLWC: Tonga v Papua New Guinea KO 7.30pm

[UTK]

Tongan pack likely to be too big and strong for PNG, hopefully they're able to keep in the fight for most of the game and give their quality backs a chance to make an impact.

[Futtocks]

Expecting a Tongan win. However, there's plenty of pace in the most recent Kumul selections, like Ipape, Coates and Johnston. Then there's Justin Olam, one of the NRL's most irrepressible centres and more, like Lachlan Lam, Nene MacDonald and of course Kyle Laybutt, who always raises his game in a Kumul shirt.

Plus their tackling will leave a few Tongans wincing when they get out of bed on Wednesday morning.

[Leyther_Matt]

8 hours ago, SalfordSlim said:

I'd have got tickets for this one if I wasn't at Rochdale v Salford in the EFL Trophy. Must need my head testing. Should be a great game though and looking forward to both teams smashing 10 bells out of each other. 

#BTeamBoycott means I’ll be at Saints rather than Bolton v Leeds U21s  

Absolutely buzzing for this one, I must say. Can’t wait to see the Leigh contingent tested at such a high level. 

[IM2]

lets hope the people of st helens turn up 

[Snowys Backside]

Can't believe PNG have 26 start for this !     

I expect Tonga to win but it will be a big hit fest !!  Tonga by 12 with a few tries scored by the Kumuls.

[StandOffHalf]

Kumuls to win by 8, thanks to their speed and halves/hooker combo.

An Olam double, with Ipape MOTM.

[Guest]

Like a lot of you here, this is my most anticipated game of the round. In fact, probably more anticipated then anything next round too. I love the Kumuls, so fingers crossed they put it together for a win against their more fancied opponent. Whereas Tonga made a very sudden impact on the international stage, PNG have made plenty of strides over a longer period of time. They shouldn't be slept on imo. Would love to see them win a World Cup in my lifetime.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

42-6.

 

I think Tonga will run away with it, personally.

[SydneyRoosters]

28 minutes ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

42-6.

 

I think Tonga will run away with it, personally.

42-6 hahahaha

[AB90]

Tonga by 14 in a tightly contested game with Tonga being too powerful in the forwards.

[JimBronco]

7 hours ago, Snowys Backside said:

Can't believe PNG have 26 start for this !     

I expect Tonga to win but it will be a big hit fest !!  Tonga by 12 with a few tries scored by the Kumuls.

Evens for PNG +26 but I prefer them at +22 @ 5/4. 

[Harry Stottle]

15 hours ago, GeordieSaint said:

Tongans by 10pts but it’ll be close.

By 10 points then?

[Hanover XIII]

First live game of the tournament for me and I can't wait to get out of work. Last time I saw Tonga live was 1995 at Wilderspool. If it's anywhere close to that game it'll be a cracker. 

[Wellsy4HullFC]

14 hours ago, SydneyRoosters said:

42-6 hahahaha

I think it'll start close, Tonga will have a couple of score lead going into half time, then come the 60 minute mark the Kumuls will fade and the points will pile on. That's what's been happening in lots of games so far this WC.

We'll see. Bet you didn't predict 60-6 did you?

Edited October 18, 2022 by Wellsy4HullFC
Mistype

[Harry Stottle]

9 hours ago, Futtocks said:

Expecting a Tongan win. However, there's plenty of pace in the most recent Kumul selections, like Ipape, Coates and Johnston. Then there's Justin Olam, one of the NRL's most irrepressible centres and more, like Lachlan Lam, Nene MacDonald and of course Kyle Laybutt, who always raises his game in a Kumul shirt.

Plus their tackling will leave a few Tongans wincing when they get out of bed on Wednesday morning.

I have only ever seen Kyle Laybutt in a PNG shirt, and yes he has impressed in every game, I believe you are correct in that PNG have the pace to give Tonga the run about, now they only have to have the game plan to make it work. I wonder if PNG will keep Ipape on the bench as Mr Lam as done for Leigh introducing him when the opposition forwards tire, but that said I am really interested as a Leigh fan to see how he goes, the Tongan team are a big step up from the Championship opposition he has been facing, but I expect him to go OK, this is a big game and so much interest for Leigh fan's with both Nene and Lachy Lam also playing, I will be a Papuan fan for sure tonight.

[Harry Stottle]

3 hours ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

42-6.

 

I think Tonga will run away with it, personally.

It goes without saying it will be personally if you are thinking it!

[MattSantos]

Would usually want PNG to win, but i don't fancy Tonga in the QF and then possibly Samoa again in the Semi.

For that reason alone, Tonga by a try in an absolute brutal affair.

[SydneyRoosters]

1 hour ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

I think it'll start close, Tonga will have a could of score lead going into half time, then come the 60 minute mark the Kumuls will fade and the points will pile on. That's what's been happening in lots of games so far this WC.

We'll see. Bet you didn't predict 60-6 did you?

If anything the opposite would happen PNG don’t get tired and will fight till the end. If there’s ever a team that don’t fall off at the back ends of games it’s the Kumuls.

I think the only person on earth who predicted 60-6 (if anyone did) would be a rugby union fan who expected a similar score to ENG-SAM in union, but they probably would have guessed 60-5.

Edited October 18, 2022 by SydneyRoosters

[Number 16]

Can't make this one, unfortunately.

Went to their game in St Esteve during the 2000 WC, which was entertaining, but this one could be off the Richter Scale.

[frank]

PNG always play attractive footy and way above their  weight.  Will be up for this one, should be a cracker.

[Dunbar]

Personally, I think we will see a big statement from Tonga in this one.

They have comfortably the best squad from the PI nations and in Kristian Woolf they have a coach who is the polar opposite of Matt Parish - he will have them ready and focussed.

I love the way PNG play but Tonga will have too much size and power across the board and I expect a comfortable win in the end.

[Just Browny]

2 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

Personally, I think we will see a big statement from Tonga in this one.

They have comfortably the best squad from the PI nations and in Kristian Woolf they have a coach who is the polar opposite of Matt Parish - he will have them ready and focussed.

I love the way PNG play but Tonga will have too much size and power across the board and I expect a comfortable win in the end.

Yes. They've also had a warm up game and three extra days prep compared to Samoa, they'll hit the ground running I imagine.

[SydneyRoosters]

58 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

I have only ever seen Kyle Laybutt in a PNG shirt, and yes he has impressed in every game, I believe you are correct in that PNG have the pace to give Tonga the run about, now they only have to have the game plan to make it work. I wonder if PNG will keep Ipape on the bench as Mr Lam as done for Leigh introducing him when the opposition forwards tire, but that said I am really interested as a Leigh fan to see how he goes, the Tongan team are a big step up from the Championship opposition he has been facing, but I expect him to go OK, this is a big game and so much interest for Leigh fan's with both Nene and Lachy Lam also playing, I will be a Papuan fan for sure tonight.

Laybutt is Class I’ve watched him a view times this for Townsville and he’s been really good, he’s incredibly versatile and has even played several games at Prop for the Blackhawks this year, really interesting player. Ipape is their only good hooker as Puara was injured in PM XIII game and Liam Horne was completely snubbed from selection. I can’t see anything other than Ipape MOTM he’s first game for PNG for a long while, off the back of an incredible season I back him for a double and a few line breaks I think he’s the main threat for PNG against a side like Tonga. There middles will get tired late on as Tonga and Samoan sides usually do and Ipape will pounce,  one quick play the ball and it’s all over for Tonga.

[Harry Stottle]

1 hour ago, SydneyRoosters said:

Laybutt is Class I’ve watched him a view times this for Townsville and he’s been really good, he’s incredibly versatile and has even played several games at Prop for the Blackhawks this year, really interesting player. Ipape is their only good hooker as Puara was injured in PM XIII game and Liam Horne was completely snubbed from selection. I can’t see anything other than Ipape MOTM he’s first game for PNG for a long while, off the back of an incredible season I back him for a double and a few line breaks I think he’s the main threat for PNG against a side like Tonga. There middles will get tired late on as Tonga and Samoan sides usually do and Ipape will pounce,  one quick play the ball and it’s all over for Tonga.

Hopefully!

[Harry Stottle]

1 hour ago, Dunbar said:

Personally, I think we will see a big statement from Tonga in this one.

They have comfortably the best squad from the PI nations and in Kristian Woolf they have a coach who is the polar opposite of Matt Parish - he will have them ready and focussed.

I love the way PNG play but Tonga will have too much size and power across the board and I expect a comfortable win in the end.

Not counting for the Kumuls being smaller in size but sculptured out of granite, and across the park probably more fleeter of foot than Tonga, if PNG can keep Tui Lolohea in check they can go a long way to winning this, he says hopefully.