Kumuls need support to upset Samoa

The PNG LNG Kumuls coach, Jason Demetriou, calls for the Port Moresby-based fans to turn up in droves when PNG hosts Samoa in round 2 of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup on Saturday, October 24th, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

PNG and Samoa have played against each other once in the history of the Men's Rugby League World Cup. During their inaugural clash in the 2013 World Cup, Samoa defeated PNG 38-4 at Craven Park in Hull, England.

In Test matches, Samoa beat PNG twice, including their first ever meeting in the 2009 Pacific Cup (26-18) and the 2019 Oceania Shield or Pacific Test (24-6).

The Samoans have a superior record against the Kumuls in both World Cup and Test matches. The Kumuls have yet to defeat the Samoans on the international stage. 

That record might be broken this weekend at PNG’s spiritual rugby league home ground, with coach Demetriou urging the fans for their focal support.

“We are going to need every Papua New Guinean in that stand with full voice and give the boys the extra help they need,” the coach urged.

“It helps when you’re playing in front of a passionate crowd like we get to play in front of. I don't doubt that the support will be bigger and louder, and we are going to need them.”

Samoa features a star-studded NRL side, while PNG will be banking on its experienced players, coupled with the home crowd support, to pull off a surprise victory for the ages.

The two Pacific Island nations are scheduled to play each other in their second group stage match on Saturday, October 24th, at Port Moresby’s Santos National Football Stadium.