The PNG LNG Kumuls unleashed a clinical attacking masterclass to defeat a plucky Lebanon Cedars side 42–18 at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, launching their 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign in spectacular fashion.

Halves pairing Gairo Voro and Finley Glare

stepped up seamlessly to control the game. Voro ignited the home crowd inside the opening seven minutes, slicing through the defense to score the opening try. Ten minutes later, North Queensland Cowboys flyer Robert Derby crossed the left wing to push the advantage to 12–0. A brilliant 45-metre bust from Voro then blew the game open, setting up second-row forward Nixon Putt to extend the Kumuls' dominant lead to 18–0.

Lebanon refused to back down before the break. Wigan Warriors winger Abbas Miski capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 35th minute, and Tony Sukkar added another try on the stroke of halftime. The quick double from the Cedars sent both teams into the sheds with PNG holding an 18–12 lead.

The Kumuls quickly restored their breathing room early in the second half. Finley Glare pounced on a loose pass to barge over, before prop Epel Kapinias crash-landed beside the posts courtesy of a deft short ball from veteran lock Jack de Belin, stretching the scoreline to 30–12. Lebanon struck back briefly when Khaled Rajab broke through the line to set up Miski's second try of the afternoon, cutting the deficit to 30–18.

With eight minutes remaining, skipper Rhyse Martin sealed the victory, crashing over for a well-deserved try before converting his own score.

The final exclamation point came from debutant Bailey Biondi-Odo. Hooking star Edwin Ipape rolled a clever grubber into the in-goal area, which was gathered cleanly by Biondi-Odo to mark his first appearance in the famous red, black, and gold jersey with a debut try.

Skipper Rhyse Martin was flawless with the boot all afternoon, kicking a perfect 7-from-7 conversions to orchestrate the commanding 42–18 victory.