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
2nd Position
away Team
Cook Islands Aitu
3rd Position
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
PNG Kumuls: Skipper Rhyse Martin will miss the game due to personal reasons, replaced in the second row by Dan Russell, who was 18th man in week one. Judah Rimbu is listed to start at hooker with Liam Horne on the bench, although they could swap on game day as they did against the Bati in Suva.
Cook Islands: No changes for the Aitu, with former Broncos captain Alex Glenn again listed among the reserves. The 36-year-old last played a Test match in 2019, scoring a try in Cook Islands' 38-16 win over the USA in Florida. Veteran Brad Takairangi calls the shots in the halves alongside another experienced campaigner in Esan Marsters, while Davvy Moale shows the way in the middle after an impressive showing against Fiji.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for PNG Kumuls is number 1 Nene MacdonaldFullback for Cook Islands Aitu is number 1 Esom Ioka
-
Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 2 Elijah RoltingaWinger for Cook Islands Aitu is number 2 Steven Marsters
-
Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 3 Robert MathiasCentre for Cook Islands Aitu is number 3 Reubenn Rennie
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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 5 Rixson Andrew
-
Five-Eighth for PNG Kumuls is number 6 Kyle LaybuttFive-Eighth for Cook Islands Aitu is number 6 Brad Takairangi
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Halfback for PNG Kumuls is number 7 Lachlan LamHalfback for Cook Islands Aitu is number 7 Esan Marsters
Forwards
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Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 8 Valentine RichardProp for Cook Islands Aitu is number 8 Tepai Moeroa
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Hooker for PNG Kumuls is number 9 Judah RimbuHooker for Cook Islands Aitu is number 9 Rua Ngatikaura
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Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 10 Jacob Alick-WienckeProp for Cook Islands Aitu is number 10 Davvy Moale
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2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 11 Dan Russell2nd Row for Cook Islands Aitu is number 11 Zane Tetevano
-
2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 12 Jeremiah Simbiken2nd Row for Cook Islands Aitu is number 12 Reuben Porter
-
Lock for PNG Kumuls is number 13 Jack De BelinLock for Cook Islands Aitu is number 13 Pride Petterson-Robati
Interchange
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Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 14 Liam HorneInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 14 Kobe Tararo
-
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 15 Koso BandiInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 15 Mason Teague
-
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 16 Sylvester NamoInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 17 Justin Makirere
-
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 17 Ila AluInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 18 Junior Teroi
Reserves
-
Replacement for PNG Kumuls is number 18 Sanny WaboReplacement for Cook Islands Aitu is number 16 Rhys Dakin
-
Reserve for PNG Kumuls is number 19 Morea MoreaReserve for Cook Islands Aitu is number 19 Malachi Morgan
-
Reserve for PNG Kumuls is number 20 Benji KotReserve for Cook Islands Aitu is number 20 Makahesi Makatoa
-
Reserve for PNG Kumuls is number 21 Finley GlareReserve for Cook Islands Aitu is number 21 Alex Glenn
PNG Kumuls Ins
- Benji Kot
- Finley Glare
- Morea Morea
- Sanny Wabo
Cook Islands Aitu Ins
- Alex Glenn
- Makahesi Makatoa
- Malachi Morgan
PNG Kumuls Outs
- Rhyse Martin
Cook Islands Aitu Ins
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.
