PNG Kumuls captain Rhyse Martin has warned his side there is still work to do after a 42–18 victory over Lebanon, with a much tougher challenge awaiting against Toa Samoa in Port Moresby this Saturday.
Despite securing an impressive winning margin against the Lebanon Cedars, the Kumuls know they must lift their performance when they face the 2022 Rugby League World Cup finalists in their second match of the 2026 tournament.
Papua New Guinea showed flashes of attacking brilliance against Lebanon but also experienced periods of pressure, particularly towards the end of the first half, when the visitors threatened to make the contest uncomfortable for the home side.
The Kumuls led 18–12 at half-time before producing a stronger second-half performance, scoring several early tries to establish control and eventually seal the victory.
Martin acknowledged the team’s mixed display, praising his teammates for their response after the break while admitting there were areas that needed improvement.
“It was a good game with Lebanon,” Martin said. “They put pressure on us towards the back end of the first half, but we did well to come out and start the second half, put a few tries early, and that just put the game out of reach.”
The experienced captain also stressed the importance of finishing strongly, while recognising that the side still needed to sharpen its performance before the next challenge.
“We needed to finish strong, which we did. The boys played really well. It’s a bit rusty, but we’ve got a few things to work on going into our next game,” Martin said.
Samoa showdown presents a major test
The Kumuls now turn their attention to Toa Samoa, who enter the contest after an emphatic 74–4 victory over France.
Samoa’s squad features several established NRL stars, giving the visitors considerable attacking firepower and setting up a highly anticipated showdown in the Papua New Guinean capital.
For the Kumuls, the challenge will be maintaining the attacking spark they displayed against Lebanon while improving their consistency and limiting the opposition’s opportunities.
Martin’s experience in previous World Cup campaigns will be important as Papua New Guinea prepares for a match that could prove crucial to its tournament ambitions. The captain also demonstrated his value with the boot against Lebanon, helping the Kumuls convert their attacking opportunities into points.
With the home crowd expected to get behind the national side, the Kumuls will be determined to deliver a more complete performance against one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams.
Port Moresby prepares for a huge rugby league occasion
The clash between Papua New Guinea and Samoa promises to be one of the most anticipated matches of the Kumuls’ campaign, bringing together two proud rugby league nations with strong support across the Pacific.
For Papua New Guinea, the message from its captain is clear: the victory over Lebanon was an important start, but further improvement will be required against Samoa.
The Kumuls have shown they can score points and finish strongly. Their next task is to deliver that performance across the full 80 minutes against a side coming off a dominant win.
The stage is set in Port Moresby. Now, the Kumuls must turn their opening victory into a statement performance against Toa Samoa.
Author: Michael B