After the euphoria of winning last year's Pacific Cup with a historic victory over Australia, the Kiwis suddenly find themselves in a scrap for survival against the dangerous Kumuls outfit.
Losses to the Kangaroos and Tonga have left Stacey Jones' men in the relegation zone and they will need to be fully focused and committed to keep the Kumuls at bay on Sunday at CommBank Stadium.
In the absence of Storm champion Jahrome Hughes, the Kiwis have turned to favourite son Shaun Johnson, who has come out of retirement in his country's hour of need and looks to farewell the game with one last magic show on Sunday.
Johnson hasn't overplayed his hand against Australia and Tonga but the mercurial No.7 needs to take more ownership of the game plan if the defending champs are to avoid the ignominy of relegation to the Bowl in 2025.
The lure of a berth in next year's Cup tournament is a powerful motivator for the Kumuls, who have Nene Macdonald, Lachlan Lam, Robert Mathias and Sylvester Namo in rare form and ready to take the game right up to their highly fancied rivals.
In 18 previous clashes between the two nations it's the Kiwis holding a 17-1 advantage, with the Kumuls' only win coming in Port Moresby in 1986 when a try double to Darius Haili sparked a 24-22 victory over a Kiwi side that included Hugh McGahan, Gary Freeman and Joe Ropati.
Match: Kiwis v PNG Kumuls
Final -
home Team
Kiwis
away Team
PNG Kumuls
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Kiwis: Erin Clark came onto the bench in the one-hour update and will make his Kiwis debut off the bench, with Marata Niukore the player to make way. Niukore is instead listed as the replacement player. Clark joins Casey McLean in making his debut, after the Penrith winger was called up on Saturday to replace Will Warbrick (thigh). Roosters powerhouse Naufahu Whyte has been elevated to the starting side with Leo Thompson moving to the interchange.
Kumuls: No late changes for PNG, with Rhyse Martin returning to captain the side after missing last week's game for personal reasons. Dan Russell goes back to 18th man. Liam Horne will start at hooker for the final game of the season, after last weekend being a late swap with Judah Rimbu.
Match: Kiwis v PNG Kumuls
Final -
home Team
Kiwis
away Team
PNG Kumuls
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Kiwis is number 1 Keano KiniFullback for PNG Kumuls is number 1 Nene Macdonald
-
Winger for Kiwis is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for PNG Kumuls is number 2 Elijah Roltinga
-
Centre for Kiwis is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for PNG Kumuls is number 3 Robert Mathias
-
Centre for Kiwis is number 4 Peta HikuCentre for PNG Kumuls is number 4 Rodrick Tai
-
Winger for Kiwis is number 20 Casey McLeanWinger for PNG Kumuls is number 5 Robert Derby
-
Five-Eighth for Kiwis is number 6 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFive-Eighth for PNG Kumuls is number 6 Kyle Laybutt
-
Halfback for Kiwis is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for PNG Kumuls is number 7 Lachlan Lam
Forwards
-
Prop for Kiwis is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for PNG Kumuls is number 8 Valentine Richard
-
Hooker for Kiwis is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for PNG Kumuls is number 9 Liam Horne
-
Prop for Kiwis is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for PNG Kumuls is number 10 Jacob Alick-Wiencke
-
2nd Row for Kiwis is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 11 Rhyse Martin
-
2nd Row for Kiwis is number 12 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 12 Jeremiah Simbiken
-
Lock for Kiwis is number 13 Naufahu WhyteLock for PNG Kumuls is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Kiwis is number 14 Kodi NikorimaInterchange for PNG Kumuls is number 14 Judah Rimbu
-
Interchange for Kiwis is number 15 Griffin NeameInterchange for PNG Kumuls is number 15 Koso Bandi
-
Interchange for Kiwis is number 17 Leo ThompsonInterchange for PNG Kumuls is number 16 Sylvester Namo
-
Interchange for Kiwis is number 18 Erin ClarkInterchange for PNG Kumuls is number 17 Ila Alu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Kiwis is number 16 Marata NiukoreReplacement for PNG Kumuls is number 18 Dan Russell
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Kiwis have won their past 13 Tests against the Kumuls.
- The Kumuls’ only win from 18 Tests against the Kiwis was in 1986.
- Centre Peta Hiku will play his 20th Test for the Kiwis.
- Kumuls fullback Nene Macdonald has scored seven tries from his past five Tests.
- The Kiwis have not won a Test in Australia since 2015.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
