Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands will both look to keep their qualification hopes in Warrington to end the second week of matches at the Rugby League World Cup.
Zero Tackle will have live coverage of the game on Wednesday morning from 5:30am (AEDT).
The Kumuls came away with a tough loss to Tonga in the opening match of Group D, and while it has likely cost them any chance at top spot in the group, this match will serve as an enormous encounter between the two sides.
The Cook Islands on the other hand come into this game on the back of a victory over Wales, but with a clash against Tonga ahead, they will likely need a victory in this match to have a shot at qualifying for the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Refresh the page below for live score and commentary updates from 5:30am (AEDT).
Scoreboard
| Match time | Pre-game | |
| Papua New Guinea | vs | Cook Islands |
30 |
Score |
16 |
| 6 | Tries | 3 |
| 4/6 | Conversions | 1/3 |
| 0 | Penalty goals | 1/1 |
| 0 | Field goals | 0 |
PAPUA NEW GUINEA 32 (Rodrick Tai 2, Rhyse Martin, Kyle Laybutt, Lachlan Lam, Justin Olam tries; Martin 3 goals) D. COOK ISLANDS 16 (Anthony Gelling, Kayal Iro, Paul Ulberg tries; Steven Marsters 2 goals).
Updates
7.21am (AEDT)
FULL TIME! The Kumuls have got one foot in the knockout stages after an impressive display. Though they faced relentless pressure in the first half they still executed and defended well. Plenty of improvement left but an important win.
The Cook Islands will rue their wastefulness with so much possession and field position, let down by their fifth tackle options. They now need to beat Tonga to stand a chance of progressing, while the Kumuls won't want to treat Wales with any complacency.
That's it for Round 2 of the World Cup! We'll see you next time.
7.17am (AEDT)
TRY! Cook Islands throw the ball around with nothing to lose and create some space through a Gelling intercept. The cover defence is excellent but they can't stop a right-side shift that ends up in the hands of Kayal Iro who slides over. Conversion is missed but of little consequence now.
7.07am (AEDT)
TRY! The Kumuls capitalise on the extra man and a premature rush from the Cook Islands defence, with Alex Johnston putting the ball on a string for Justin Olam. If Cook Islands weren't done, they are now. Martin converts with ease from the opposite touch line.
7.01am (AEDT)
Stunning scenes as two Cook Islands players engage in a dangerous tackle on Wellington Albert after held was called. Reubenn Rennie is sent to the sin bin and he's lucky he's the only one.
6.58am (AEDT)
The Cook Islands start to spread it around but it's sloppy and they lose possession. On the regather, Macdonald forces a drop out with some great defensive hustle.
6.54am (AEDT)
TRY! The Cook Islands had to score next and they have, with Anthony Gelling's effort being paid. He must have had his fingertips on it as the ball bounced wildly following the put-down indicating a loss of control, but the replay suggests he may have got it down. Gelling celebrates with a dance despite the score. Marsters misses the conversion.
6.50am (AEDT)
TRY! The Kumuls go in again through Lachlan Lam after a strong break and offload from Justin Olam. The Cook Islands are in trouble now.
6.46am (AEDT)
The Cook Islands' authority in the final 20 is still escaping them, with another set ending in disappointment near the line. They need to find a spark soon.
6.39am (AEDT)
TRY! The four-pointer is paid and Tai gets his double after a great leap and bat-back from Nene Macdonald. Martin misses again but the margin is increasing quickly.
6.37am (AEDT)
The Kumuls may be in again through Rodrick Tai but we're going upstairs to look at the lead-up.
6.32am (AEDT)
TRY! The Kumuls keep rolling on the same set and Rhyse Martin scores a straightforward try after finding space and spinning around the defence. He converts his own score.
6.31am (AEDT)
We're back underway and Mackenzie Yei makes up for lost time, breaking through the line in the first tackle of the half and surging upfield before finally being caught by Kayal Iro.
6.16am (AEDT)
HALF-TIME! PNG take a two-point lead into the sheds and they should be happy with it. Cook Islands had nearly all the possession and field position plus a man advantage for 10 minutes and have still struggled to convert into points. They may be left to rue their wastefulness.
6.13am (AEDT)
Yei returns to the field after his time in the bin. Two minutes remain in the first half.
6.09am (AEDT)
TRY! Cook Islands finally go over through Paul Ulberg, exploiting the overlap and numerical advantage with a slick left hand move. Hopefully that can spark some more cohesion. Steven Marsters cuts the margin back to just two points. Steven Marsters converts from the sideline.
6.06am (AEDT)
Nene Macdonald concedes another penalty for the Kumuls in good position for Cook Islands, but they're handling the pressure with ease despite being a man down.
6.01am (AEDT)
SIN BIN! PNG conceded a penalty with Mackenzie Yei sent for 10 minutes after a brutal high shot.
5.58am (AEDT)
TRY! Kyle Laybutt! From good field position the Kumuls shift right after some second-phase play. They're seeing less of the ball but doing a lot more with it. Martin converts.
5.56am (AEDT)
A penalty for PNG in good position as the Cook Islands' frustrations grow. The referee has issued a warning after a melee following a tackle from Esan Martsers.
5.51am (AEDT)
The Cook Islands' execution in attacking possession leaving a lot to be desired. They can get to their 20m zone with ease but have struggled to really apply the pressure to the Kumuls defence with simple errors.
5.49am (AEDT)
HE'S MISSED! Martin will have to do with tying the record at 41 after his record kick goes inches to the left.
5.47am (AEDT)
TRY! The Kumuls catch everyone unawares, scoring through a breakaway Rodrick Tai after he takes the dead ball to the 20 metre line and keeps running. Now comes Rhyse Martin's World Record attempt.
5.43am (AEDT)
The Cooks Islands err from a good spot again, with the chase for a towering bomb taking out Rodrick Tai despite the ball landing a few metres away from him.
5.40am (AEDT)
A penalty is blown for a strip but instead of maintaining the pressure, Cook Islands have opted for an early penalty. Steven Marsters converts off the post to open the scoring.
5.36am (AEDT)
Anthony Gelling intercepts from Lam and breaks away but the Kumuls reel him in. Cook Islands get their first slice of proper attacking possession.
5.34am (AEDT)
PNG get a penalty and the first shot at attacking position after some evenly-balanced opening exchanges.
5.30am (AEDT)
The Kumuls kick off and we're underway!
5.20am (AEDT)
The team lists are in!
Papua New Guinea: 8 Wellington Albert, 13 Jacob Alick, 18 Keven Apo, 23 Watson Boas, 9 Edwin Ipape, 1 Alex Johnston, 7 Lachlan Lam, 6 Kyle Laybutt, 3 Nene MacDonald, 12 Rhyse Martin (captain), 10 Sylvester Namo, 19 Jimmy Ngutlik, 4 Justin Olam, 11 Nixon Putt, 15 Daniel Russell, 20 Rodrick Tai, 22 Jeremiah Simbiken, 17 Emmanuel Waine, 16 Mackenzie Yei
Cook Islands: 1 Kayal Iro, 2 Paul Ulberg, 3 Anthony Gelling, 4 Esan Marsters, 5 Steve Marsters, 6 Brad Takairangi (captain), 7 Johnathon Ford, 8 Makahesi Makatoa, 9 Aaron Teroi, 10 Tepai Moeroa, 11 Dominique Peyroux, 12 Brendan Piakura, 13 Zane Tetevano, 15 Tinirau Arona, 16 Reubenn Rennie, 17 Rua Ngatikaura, 18 Moses Noovao-McGreal, 20 Davvy Moale, 21 Vincent Rennie
4:45am (AEDT)
Hello and welcome to Zero Tackle for live coverage of this World Cup clash between two of the biggest rugby league mad nations on the planet in Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands Kukis.
This is just about must-win for both sides in Warrington.
Teams have dropped, and we will have them shortly ahead of kick-off.
