Papua New Guinea have kicked off their World Cup campaign on a strong note, recording a 42-18 win over a plucky Lebanon in an entertaining affair.

Watch Australia’s Tour of South Africa Live & Exclusive on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports.

There’s plenty of interest in how the Kumuls and some of their local talent perform given the PNG Chiefs will enter the comp in 2028.

Lebanon, who had Jacob Kiraz and Alex Twal in their line up, tried hard and were in the contest for much of the game until the Kumuls kicked clear late.

In front of a raucous home crowd in Port Moresby, the Kumuls started quick when the electric five-eighth Gairo Voro pounced after a Jason Saab knock on to pounce on the loose ball and run 60 metres to score.

Cowboys and Kumuls winger Rob Derby would increase the lead to two tries after running onto a lovely cut out ball from fullback Morea Morea.

It looked as if it would get ugly for the visitors when a Nixon Putt try put PNG ahead 18-0, but Lebanon showed they were in for the fight, scoring two late first half tries to go into the sheds just six points adrift.

PNG NRL win in case over use of ‘Chiefs’ | 00:25

However, the Kumuls flexed their muscles in the second stanza, scoring four tries to one.

Skipper Rhyse Martin led the way, scoring a try, kicking a perfect seven from seven with the boot and making 31 tackles.

Derby was strong for PNG, running for over 200 metres and recording six tackle busts.

Papua New Guinea 42

Tries: Derby, Voro, Glare, Putt, Martin, Biondi-Odo, Kapinias

Goals: Martin 7/7

Lebanon 18

Tries: Miski 2, Sukkar

Goals: A. Conti 3/3



–