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The two Round 1 winners on the Pools B and C table, PNG and Samoa, meet in Port Moresby in Round 2 of the Rugby League World Cup.
The two Round 1 winners on the combined Pools B and C table meet in Port Moresby, where the Kumuls play in front of a crowd for whom rugby league is the national sport. Samoa scored 14 tries in a 78-4 win over France, and PNG beat Lebanon 42-18. The winner takes a big step towards the semi-finals.
Below are our tip and the reasoning, the head to head, both squads and what is at stake. Every match is on our Rugby League World Cup hub.
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Match Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Competition | Rugby League World Cup, Pools B and C, Round 2 |
| Date | Saturday 24 October 2026 |
| Kick-off | 3:25pm AEDT (2:25pm in Port Moresby) |
| Venue | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby |
| Broadcast | Seven and 7plus, free-to-air |
| Coaches | Jason Demetriou (Papua New Guinea), Ben Gardiner (Samoa) |
PNG vs Samoa Tips & Prediction
Our pick: Samoa to win. Samoa’s squad is almost entirely NRL, with Stephen Crichton, Jarome Luai, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Junior Paulo, and they won the last two meetings between the sides, 38-4 at the 2013 World Cup and 24-6 in 2019.
Port Moresby changes the equation. PNG pulled clear of Lebanon with a strong second half last week, with Rhyse Martin, playing his last World Cup, kicking seven goals. The heat and the crowd make this the hardest away trip in the tournament.
Best value: Samoa by 1-12. We expect Samoa to win, but not by the margin the France result suggests. Home advantage in Port Moresby has troubled better teams than this, and a close game is more likely than a blowout.
PNG vs Samoa Head to Head
Samoa won both of the last two meetings.
| Date | Result | Venue | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2019 | Samoa 24-6 PNG | Sydney | Oceania Shield |
| November 2013 | Samoa 38-4 PNG | Hull | World Cup |
Round 1 form
Papua New Guinea beat Lebanon 42-18 in Port Moresby in Round 1, with Rhyse Martin scoring a try and kicking seven goals.
Samoa beat France 78-4 in Parramatta in Round 1, scoring 14 tries, four of them to Sualauvi Fa’alogo.
PNG vs Samoa Team News
Both sides come in on big wins, so few changes are expected. Round 2 teams are named during the week, and we add the line-ups here as soon as they are out.
PNG Kumuls Team News
Squad: Rhyse Martin, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Jack de Belin, Robert Derby, Dudley Dotoi, Josh Feledy, Finley Glare, Liam Horne, Edwin Ipape, Zev John, Epel Kapinias, Zac Laybutt, Nene Macdonald, Robert Mathias, Morea Morea Jnr, Luca Moretti, Sylvester Namo, Nixon Putt, Valentine Richard, Rodrick Tai, Gairo Voro, Sanny Wabo, Khaiya Waiembi.
Samoa Team News
Squad: Junior Paulo (c), Jarome Luai (c), Shawn Blore, Stephen Crichton, Sua Fa’alogo, Clayton Faulalo, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Benaiah Ioelu, Connelly Lemuelu, Spencer Leniu, Francis Manuleleua, Deine Mariner, Ata Mariota, Greg Marzhew, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Molo, Pasami Saulo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Izack Tago, Jazz Tevaga, Brian To’o, Enari Tuala, Ronald Volkman.
What Is at Stake
PNG are in Pool C and Samoa in Pool B, and the two pools share one table. Samoa lead it on points difference after Round 1 and PNG are second, so this is a fight for first place, which means facing the Pool A runner-up rather than the winner in the semi-finals.
| Team | Remaining pool game |
|---|---|
| Papua New Guinea | England (Fri 30 Oct, Wollongong) |
| Samoa | Tonga (Sun 1 Nov, CommBank Stadium) |
PNG vs Samoa Betting Markets
- Head to head: the match winner, with golden point extra time if it is level after 80 minutes.
- Line: a points start for the underdog, usually the better market when the head-to-head price is short.
- Winning margin: bands such as 1-12 and 13+.
- Try scorers: first, last and anytime try scorer markets on both squads.
- Same game multi: a result, margin and try scorers in one bet. See our same game multi guide.
Compare prices across our best NRL betting sites, which all price the World Cup.
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
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PNG vs Samoa FAQs
When is PNG vs Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup?
Saturday 24 October 2026 at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, kicking off at 3:25pm AEDT, which is 2:25pm in Port Moresby.
Who will win PNG vs Samoa?
Our pick is Samoa, with Samoa by 1-12 as the value bet, because of home advantage in Port Moresby.
What is the PNG vs Samoa head to head?
Samoa won the last two meetings, 38-4 at the 2013 World Cup and 24-6 in 2019.
Where can I watch PNG vs Samoa?
Live and free on Seven and 7plus in Australia.
More Rugby League World Cup Coverage
- Tonga vs Lebanon tips
- England vs France tips
- New Zealand vs Cook Islands tips
- Australia vs Fiji tips
- Jillaroos vs England tips
- Rugby League World Cup hub: schedule, ladder and tips
- Results and ladder
- Schedule and TV guide
- Squads
- Rugby League World Cup winners
- The final
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