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2017 Rugby League World Cup - Papua New Guinea vs Ireland Preview

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The Lowdown

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

  • Papua New Guinea produced a wonderful performance to put a poor Wales side to the sword as they racked up 50 points in front of a raucous home crowd in their World Cup opener.
  • The Kumuls again have the advantage of the home crowd behind them as they go in search of back-to-back wins which would be a big achievement having won just one of their last seven World Cup games.
  • Head Coach Michael Marum has made just one change to his side from last week with Wartovo Puara making way for Stargroth Amean.

Head Coach: Michael Marum

Team: Mead; Olam, Ottio, MacDonald, Lo; A. Boas, W. Boas; Albert, Baptiste, Page, Martin, Minoga, Aiton

Bench: Segeyaro, Albert, Amean, Maki

IRELAND

  • Ireland produced a solid display to come away with an important victory in their World Cup opener, dispatching Italy with relative ease for a comfortable win.
  • Mark Aston hasn't made any changes to his side as he rewards the 17 that worked so well against Italy with them amassing 36 points and conceding just 12.
  • That victory was Ireland's first in their last five World Cup games and if they can extend that with another shock result here, they would put themselves in pole position to qualify for the next round.

Head Coach: Mark Aston

Team: Grix; McDonnell, Chamberlain, Morgan, Kay; Pewhairangi, Finn; Singleton, McIlorum, Amor, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Roberts, King

Bench: McCarthy, Hasson, Philbin, Mullally

Analysis - what to expect
There have been parties in Papua New Guinea all week as the Kumuls celebrated their 50-point thrashing of Wales. Whilst the Irish win over Italy was also impressive, they will need to be at the top of their game to overcome PNG on home soil. This is a huge game for both sides with the winner leaving their fate in their own hands in terms of qualification for the next round. Ireland will fancy themselves after their win last week but PNG should just edge this in what has the makings of an intriguing contest.

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