The Kumuls will be out to build on an impressive first-up win over the Bati and set sail for the Bowl final on November 10 in winning form.
With Nene Macdonald and Lachlan Lam showing the way, the Kumuls are expected to pack too much firepower for a Cook Islands side coming off a 56-6 defeat at the hands of the Bati.
Victory for the Kumuls would set up a clash with the third-placed team in the Pacific Cup (Tonga or Kiwis) for a shot at promotion to the 2025 Pacific Cup.
If Cook Islands manage to spring an upset, Fiji is almost certain to advance to the promotion-relegation play-off against the Kiwis or Tonga.
Cook Islands can still win the Pacific Bowl and a shot at promotion but they must defeat the Kumuls by 77 points to overcome the Bati's for-and-against of +38.
That scenario seems highly improbable, but the Aitu will fight all the way and there will be plenty of free-flowing football and huge collisions for a bumper crowd in Port Moresby.
Match: PNG Kumuls v Cook Islands Aitu
Week 3 -
home Team
PNG Kumuls
1st Position
away Team
Cook Islands Aitu
3rd Position
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Team News
PNG Kumuls: Papua New Guinea have made one late change on gameday with Ila Alu shifting from the interchange to the starting side and Valentine Richard moving back to the bench. Skipper Rhyse Martin will miss the game due to personal reasons and is replaced in the second row by Dan Russell, who was 18th man in week one. Morea Morea will remains in the squad as 18th man.
Cook Islands: Former Broncos forward Alex Glenn is set to make a stunning return to the field for the first time since retiring at the end of the 2021 NRL season, with the 36-year-old added to the starting side in Sunday's team update. The change sees Zane Tetevano move to the bench. Dolphins utility Mason Teague has shifted to halfback, with Esan Marsters moving to fullback and Esom Ioka to the wing. Junior Teroi and Makahesi Makatoa are on the interchange after they were added to the bench on Saturday, with Justin Makirere the 18th man.
Match: PNG Kumuls v Cook Islands Aitu
Week 3 -
home Team
PNG Kumuls
away Team
Cook Islands Aitu
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for PNG Kumuls is number 1 Nene MacdonaldFullback for Cook Islands Aitu is number 7 Esan Marsters
-
Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 2 Elijah RoltingaWinger for Cook Islands Aitu is number 1 Esom Ioka
-
Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 3 Robert MathiasCentre for Cook Islands Aitu is number 3 Reubenn Rennie
-
Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 4 Rodrick TaiCentre for Cook Islands Aitu is number 4 Delahia Wigmore
-
Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 5 Robert DerbyWinger for Cook Islands Aitu is number 2 Steven Marsters
-
Five-Eighth for PNG Kumuls is number 6 Kyle LaybuttFive-Eighth for Cook Islands Aitu is number 6 Brad Takairangi
-
Halfback for PNG Kumuls is number 7 Lachlan LamHalfback for Cook Islands Aitu is number 15 Mason Teague
Forwards
-
Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 10 Jacob Alick-WienckeProp for Cook Islands Aitu is number 8 Tepai Moeroa
-
Hooker for PNG Kumuls is number 9 Judah RimbuHooker for Cook Islands Aitu is number 9 Rua Ngatikaura
-
Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 17 Ila AluProp for Cook Islands Aitu is number 10 Davvy Moale
-
2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 11 Dan Russell2nd Row for Cook Islands Aitu is number 12 Reuben Porter
-
2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 12 Jeremiah Simbiken2nd Row for Cook Islands Aitu is number 21 Alex Glenn
-
Lock for PNG Kumuls is number 13 Jack De BelinLock for Cook Islands Aitu is number 13 Pride Petterson-Robati
Interchange
-
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 8 Valentine RichardInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 11 Zane Tetevano
-
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 14 Liam HorneInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 16 Rhys Dakin
-
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 15 Koso BandiInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 18 Junior Teroi
-
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 16 Sylvester NamoInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 20 Makahesi Makatoa
Reserves
-
Replacement for PNG Kumuls is number 19 Morea MoreaReplacement for Cook Islands Aitu is number 17 Justin Makirere
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Kumuls have won all four Tests against Cook Islands.
- Cousins Esan and Steven Marsters will play their 10th Tests for Cook Islands.
- The Kumuls have won five of their past seven Test matches.
- Cook Islands have conceded 248 points in their past five Tests.
- Kumuls winger Robert Derby has scored four tries in his past four Tests.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
