Young Kumuls Arrive
Papua New Guinea’s Rugby League World Cup campaign is over but the international careers of two young Kumuls have officially begun following a breakout debut.
Gairo Voro – affectionately coined the ‘PNG Luai’ for both his hair- and playing-style – came into this tournament with big expectations and appeared to relish the pressure.
He’s a little more raw than Jarome was at 23 years of age but there’s equally as much to like about how he carries the ball and attacks the line. With two tries and two assists from three games, Voro finished up an international debut as one of Papua New Guinea’s best to usher in a new era for the Kumuls halves.
Whether his immediate future is at the London Broncos, the PNG Hunters or somewhere else, there are now little doubts around Voro’s potential as a PNG Chief, while winger Dudley Dotoi was another to announce himself on the world stage.
Lining up against three genuine NRL calibre wingers in Jason Saab, Brian To’o and Dom Young in as many weeks, Dotoi came out the other side as “arguably one of the best wingers in the tournament” according to Coach Jason Demetriou.
By the numbers, it’s difficult to argue with JD’s assessment.
An average 109 running metres, 19 tackle busts, three line breaks and one highlight reel try (over the top of three NRL stars) is a pretty tidy World Cup rap sheet for the Townsville Blackhawks winger, who will now likely spend the summer training in an NRL preseason.
Kiwis & Kangaroos Watch
Of the four teams left standing in the 2026 RLWC, it’s New Zealand who carry the best form into the semi finals.
A 78-0 statement against Fiji on Saturday should really have the Kiwis as favourites (currently $2.50 as of Monday) over an Australian side yet to find anything near their best in all three games.
New Zealand’s embarrassment of riches in the front row is well documented at this point, but for the Bati to manage just 850 total running metres (after they powered through Australia the week before) speaks to the Kiwis dominance around the ruck.
On the same weekend that New Zealand completely obliterated Fiji’s middle, the Kangaroos were spotted up for a soft try behind the ruck from Cook Island’s hooker Rua Ngatikaura.
The spotlight will shine on Australia’s pack again this week, where Kevvie Walters is still tinkering with his forward rotation.
Isaah Yeo and Pat Carrigan struggled for yardage last week while Keaon Koloamatangi appeared to relish the extra minutes. With Cam Murray (illness) added to the mix this week too, the Kangaroos are running out of time to find a winning formula around the ruck.
French Robbery
Casual fans will be forgiven for skipping the France v Lebanon matchup on Sunday afternoon.
Those who tuned in were rewarded with a Golden Point thriller… and all the drama that inevitably comes with it.
Up against it for what felt like the third week in a row, the French roared to life in Round 3 to ambush a woeful Cedars outfit.
A brutal, chaotic and unbelievable 85 minutes ensued, featuring a breakout period for French five-eighth Cesar Rogue; scoring a try to level things up, slotting a bullshit 40-metre two-pointer to send it to extra time and then nailing (what looked like) the match winning field-goal from right in front…
… only for The Bunker to overrule the moment courtesy of a ‘blocker’ penalty.
There’s two problems here. One; the rule itself, and two; why it was enforced at International level.
As French Head Coach Laurent Frayssinous rightly pointed out in the post-match; “that’s not the International rules… that’s the NRL rules.”
For France to be robbed of a World Cup winning moment because of a rule they’ve never played under before is a cruel joke.
For that rule to itself be mired with controversy (asking officials to determine if a player is a decoy or a genuine option is absurd) only adds to the mockery.
The Pacific Produces
The Grand Final is still two weeks away but the Unofficial Main Event of the 2026 RLWC produced in spades on Sunday night.
Comparisons were quick to be drawn between Samoa v Tonga and the intensity of State of Origin – claims difficult to deny.
From kickoff to fulltime, the Pacific Nations fought fire with fire and matched quality with class in a brilliant display of desperation footy.
Jazz Tevaga, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Stephen Crichton all came up with individual try savers within minutes of each other as Samoa repelled a Tongan onslaught in the opening quarter.
They then made their own luck on two Brian To’o tries – both against the run of play – to keep themselves in the fight before an injury-forced cameo from Ronald Volkman sparked Samoa into an unlikely lead with 10 to go.
In the end, Tonga’s strength in the front row was the difference; Addin Fonua-Blake’s shrug try-celebration got a run on the world stage as Tonga finished strongest… but only just.
How both nations handle the comedown of that contest is something to watch this week.
On paper and form, both Samoa and Tonga are worthy of a Grand Final appearance but they’ve got a mighty hurdle to get through first…