Papua New Guinea have already shown in this World Cup they are going from strength to strength - and now we need to see them in the NRL.
They were just a very small margin away from toppling Tonga on Tuesday which is outstanding for them. The Kumuls have shown they’ve built on the 2019 win over the Great Britain Lions. They are getting stronger. And it’d be amazing to see Port Moresby eventually get a team in the NRL to continue that development.
Long-term, to keep Papua New Guinea progressing and keep rugby league as their number one sport, I feel they must get a club side in the elite competition. And that’d only further enhance the international standard of their team. You have to tip your hat to Papua’s Rhyse Martin, too. It’s an incredible goal-kicking record he’s on. Unbelievable.
He equalled the world record of 41 consecutive goals against Tonga and I’d love to see him break it now. Given the variety of games those kicks have come in and the variety of positions on the pitch, it is incredible. It’s very handy when you have a kicker of that calibre as you’re almost guaranteed to turn your four points into six.
England wanted to avoid Tonga in the quarter-finals but if - as expected - they do meet Papua New Guinea instead they’ll need to play well. They had to do it in the 2017 World Cup quarter-finals and that was a very tough game. The Papuans would fancy their chances against England if things go according to plan and they meet there again.
It was great to not only see that fixture go so close but Wales and Cook Islands hang in the balance as well on Wednesday. It’s all good for the sport and all adds to the excitement. Hopefully there’s more to come. As we go into the second week of fixtures, I’m really looking forward to Ireland v Lebanon on Sunday.
In terms of competitiveness, it could be the game of the round. I can’t call it. Lebanon has a great side but I think Ireland could just edge it to reach the quarters. England v France will be great on Saturday.
I don’t think Shaun Wane has his quarter-final side settled yet. That, for me, should leave those England players who are coming in - who didn’t play in that brilliant win over Samoa - not just thinking they’re getting a run out.
They should use it as a way of forcing their way in for that last-eight contest. All's to play for.
Jamie Peacock is an ambassador for The National Lottery who are an Official Partner of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021).
