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Kiwis v PNG Kumuls: Whyte into starting side; Skipper back on deck
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Kiwis v PNG Kumuls: Whyte into starting side; Skipper back on deck

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After the euphoria of winning last year's Pacific Cup with a historic victory over Australia, the Kiwis suddenly find themselves in a scrap for survival against the dangerous Kumuls outfit.

Losses to the Kangaroos and Tonga have left Stacey Jones' men in the relegation zone and they will need to be fully focused and committed to keep the Kumuls at bay on Sunday at CommBank Stadium.

In the absence of Storm champion Jahrome Hughes, the Kiwis have turned to favourite son Shaun Johnson, who has come out of retirement in his country's hour of need and looks to farewell the game with one last magic show on Sunday.

Johnson hasn't overplayed his hand against Australia and Tonga but the mercurial No.7 needs to take more ownership of the game plan if the defending champs are to avoid the ignominy of relegation to the Bowl in 2025.

The lure of a berth in next year's Cup tournament is a powerful motivator for the Kumuls, who have Nene Macdonald, Lachlan Lam, Robert Mathias and Sylvester Namo in rare form and ready to take the game right up to their highly fancied rivals.

In 18 previous clashes between the two nations it's the Kiwis holding a 17-1 advantage, with the Kumuls' only win coming in Port Moresby in 1986 when a try double to Darius Haili sparked a 24-22 victory over a Kiwi side that included Hugh McGahan, Gary Freeman and Joe Ropati.

Match: Kiwis v PNG Kumuls

Final -

Kiwis

home Team

Kiwis

PNG Kumuls

away Team

PNG Kumuls

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Match broadcasters:

  • WatchNRL
Team Lists Get Tickets

Team News

Kiwis: Roosters powerhouse Naufahu Whyte has been elevated to the starting side with Leo Thomoson moving to the interchange bench as the Kiwis fight to avoid relegation to the Bowl for 2025. Erin Clark is again the 18th man.

Kumuls: Rhyse Martin returns to captain the side after missing last week's game for personal reasons. Dan Russell goes back to 18th man and Morea Morea drops to the reserves. Liam Horne has been named to start at hooker but could swap with Judah Rimbu as he did last weekend.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Kiwis is number 1 Keano Kini
    Fullback for PNG Kumuls is number 1 Nene Macdonald
  • Winger for Kiwis is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
    Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 2 Elijah Roltinga
  • Centre for Kiwis is number 3 Matthew Timoko
    Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 3 Robert Mathias
  • Centre for Kiwis is number 4 Peta Hiku
    Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 4 Rodrick Tai
  • Winger for Kiwis is number 5 Will Warbrick
    Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 5 Robert Derby
  • Five-Eighth for Kiwis is number 6 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Five-Eighth for PNG Kumuls is number 6 Kyle Laybutt
  • Halfback for Kiwis is number 7 Shaun Johnson
    Halfback for PNG Kumuls is number 7 Lachlan Lam

Forwards

  • Prop for Kiwis is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
    Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 8 Valentine Richard
  • Hooker for Kiwis is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
    Hooker for PNG Kumuls is number 9 Liam Horne
  • Prop for Kiwis is number 10 Joseph Tapine
    Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 10 Jacob  Alick-Wiencke
  • 2nd Row for Kiwis is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
    2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 11 Rhyse Martin
  • 2nd Row for Kiwis is number 12 Scott Sorensen
    2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 12 Jeremiah Simbiken
  • Lock for Kiwis is number 13 Naufahu Whyte
    Lock for PNG Kumuls is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

  • Interchange for Kiwis is number 14 Kodi Nikorima
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 14 Judah Rimbu
  • Interchange for Kiwis is number 15 Griffin Neame
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 15 Koso Bandi
  • Interchange for Kiwis is number 16 Marata Niukore
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 16 Sylvester Namo
  • Interchange for Kiwis is number 17 Leo Thompson
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 17 Ila Alu

Reserves

  • Replacement for Kiwis is number 18 Erin Clark
    Replacement for PNG Kumuls is number 18 Dan Russell
  • Reserve for Kiwis is number 19 Jordan Riki
    Reserve for PNG Kumuls is number 19 Morea Morea
  • Reserve for Kiwis is number 20 Casey McLean
    Reserve for PNG Kumuls is number 20 Sanny Wabo
  • Reserve for Kiwis is number 21 Trent Toelau
    Reserve for PNG Kumuls is number 21 Benji Kot

Kiwis Ins

  • Casey McLean
  • Jordan Riki
  • Trent Toelau

PNG Kumuls Ins

  • Benji Kot
  • Rhyse Martin
  • Sanny Wabo

Kiwis Outs

PNG Kumuls Ins

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Kiwis have won their past 13 Tests against the Kumuls. 
  • The Kumuls’ only win from 18 Tests against the Kiwis was in 1986.
  • Centre Peta Hiku will play his 20th Test for the Kiwis.
  • Kumuls fullback Nene Macdonald has scored seven tries from his past five Tests.
  • The Kiwis have not won a Test in Australia since 2015.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.