Papua New Guinea will open their World Cup campaign in front of a packed home crowd when they play Wales on Saturday.
The Welsh side will fly up to Port Mosby to face the passionate New Guinea side, who are hopeful of qualifying for the knockout round for the second time in their short history.
Wales however, lays claim to a strong record against the Papua New Guineans having never lost to the Kumals and racking up more than 50 points in their previous two encounters.
The news isn’t all bad for the Kumals however, who have significantly improved their team following the success of the PNG hunters in the Queensland Cup.
PNG features 10 players from the side that won the QLD cup this year and also includes six NRL players, providing class and direction to a team with unknown potential.
Despite their strong record against PNG, Wales will bring a near full strength team with them across the ocean, including two Super League Young Player of the Year nominees in Regan Grace and Morgan Knowles.
In charge of providing Wales with some momentum will be Captain and prop forward Craig Kopczak.
Kopczak has a reputation in the Super League for his powerful running and presence on the field. Wales will look to Kopczak to provide them with a platform for their speedsters on the edge to build off and give them the upper hand.
The Welsh captain will have his hands full however, trying to contain his opposite number, Luke Page. Page has been one of the standout forwards in the QLD cup and is known for his hard and straight running.
Page will be tasked with limiting Kopczak’s meters in the middle of the field, while using his damaging running to create some space for the flare and ability of the PNG backline to take charge.
Papua New Guinea v Wales
Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby, 3pm (PNG) Saturday
