Kumuls Launch Home World Cup Campaign With 42-18 Win Over Lebanon in Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea gave their home supporters exactly what they wanted on Saturday, launching their Rugby League World Cup campaign with a commanding 42-18 win over Lebanon in Port Moresby.

The Kumuls were electric from the start. Five-eighth Gairo Voro pounced on a Cedars error in the eighth minute and sprinted 60 metres to open the scoring, and further tries to Rob Derby and Nixon Putt had the hosts 18-0 ahead before Lebanon clawed back two late first-half tries to trail just 18-12 at the break.

The second half belonged to PNG. London Broncos duo Finley Glare and Epel Kapinias struck early after the restart, and when Edwin Ipape put skipper Rhyse Martin over with eight minutes to go before setting up Bailey Biondi-Odo three minutes later, the contest was over.

Martin was immense in what is shaping as his international farewell — seven goals from seven attempts, 31 tackles and 93 run metres in his 22nd Test. Derby ran for more than 200 metres, while Lebanon's Tony Francis was outstanding in defeat with 292 run metres and seven tackle breaks, and Wigan winger Abbas Miski scored twice for the Cedars.

The win sets up PNG perfectly in Pool B/C ahead of next week's home clash with Samoa.