The SP Brewery Pacific Cup final will see the Cook Islands meet Papua New Guinea for a spot in next year’s Four Nations following the host nation’s emphatic 44-14 win over Tonga today.<br><br>The Kumuls were unstoppable at Lloyd Robson Oval, shocking the Tongans with a typically spirited performance in front of a bumper crowd of more than 9,000.<br><br>The Kumuls’ victory continues the run of amazing upset wins so far in the tournament, with Cook Islands earning their spot in the final yesterday with a 24-22 last-gasp win against Fiji.<br><br>Parramatta Eels star and Tonga captain Feleti Mateo did his best to spark his side but it was not enough to deny Adrian Lam’s Kumuls a memorable victory in scorching heat.<br><br>Gold Coast Titans youngster David Mead – already a local hero after his first year of NRL football – bagged a double while centre Menzie Yere crossed three times in a man of the match performance. <br><br>After the match, the fact that the Kumuls were just one win away from joining heavyweights Australia, New Zealand and England in the 2010 Four Nations quickly sunk in.<br><br>“That’s what we’re here for and now we’re one step closer,” PNG captain John Wilshere said.<br><br>“Today was a huge win for us but we know there is one more to go and that will be our focus.”<br><br>Among the day’s best performers were Papua New Guinea’s local players in Siegfried Gande (Goroka Lahanis), Jessie Joe Parker and Anton Kui (SBS Muruks).<br><br>Kumuls coach Adrian Lam paid tribute to his locally-based players, who he said had improved markedly since the side’s 2008 Rugby League World Cup campaign.<br><br>“There’s a great mix in our squad,” Lam said. <br><br>“About eight of the guys are locally based and that’s the part of the team that is our engine room. <br><br>"We asked them to lead and everyone else follows, and they were fantastic today.”<br><br>Next week’s final between the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea will be played on Sunday, November 1, a day after Fiji play Tonga in a rankings playoff.<br><br>Watch both matches <a href="http://www.nrl.com/newsviews/latestnews/newsarticle/tabid/10874/newsid/57145/watch-pacific-cup-action-live/default.aspx">LIVE here</a> on NRL.com at 16:00 (AEST).<br><br>
You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
