THE Kumuls always bring colour to the World Cup party, and they’ll certainly do that this year with two fixtures in Port Moresby.

Papua New Guinea won all three group matches there in 2017, and if they can do the same against Lebanon and Samoa, they will have every chance of qualification going into their final tie against England in Wollongong.

No nation has lifted as much silverware since the last World Cup as PNG, thanks to three straight Pacific Bowls.

The downside is that the only top-five-ranked nation they’ve faced since their quarter-final exit to England in Wigan four years ago is a solitary 54-12 defeat to New Zealand.

Time also won’t be on their side as coach Jason Demetriou and a host of players will arrive late from the end of the season at London.

But any success will be well celebrated in the rugby-mad nation, which is getting its own NRL team in 2028.

KEY PLAYERS

ALEX JOHNSTON and Lachlan Lam are two huge misses, with both sitting out the tournament through injury.

That will put extra pressure on Gairo Voro – who scored 32 Championship tries this season for London – to match Johnston’s prolificacy should he be selected in the halves, and Lam’s Leigh teammate Edwin Ipape to help steer the spine.

Another Super League star, Hull KR’s Rhyse Martin, remains key as captain, back-row driving force and goal-kicker.

COACH

JASON DEMETRIOU has arguably been leading a quasi-PNG side all year at London, who have seven Kumuls on their books for their sweep through the Championship. 

He took this role in 2024 after losing his job as head coach of South Sydney, where he had been under the wing of Wayne Bennett.

SQUAD

Jack de Belin (Parramatta Eels), Robert Derby (North Queensland Cowboys), Dudley Dotoi (Townsville Blackhawks), Josh Feledy (Manly Sea Eagles), Finley Glare (London Broncos), Liam Horne (Leigh Leopards), Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards), Zev John (Central Queensland Capras), Epel Kapinias (London Broncos), Bailey Biondi-Odo (Townsville Blackhawks), Zac Laybutt (North Queensland Cowboys), Nene Macdonald (St Helens), Rhyse Martin (Hull KR), Robert Mathias (London Broncos), Morea Morea Jnr (London Broncos), Luca Moretti (Parramatta Eels), Sylvester Namo (Brisbane Tigers), Nixon Putt (Central Queensland Capras), Rodrick Tai (Central Queensland Capras), Valentine Richard (PNG Hunters), Gairo Voro (London Broncos), Sanny Wabo (PNG Hunters), Khaiya Waiembi (PNG Hunters).