Papua New Guinea v Cook Islands predictions and rugby league betting tips

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for Tuesday's Rugby League World Cup clash between Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands.

Where to watch

BBC Three & iPlayer, 7.30pm Tuesday

Best bets

Over 45.5 points
2pts 5-6 general

Edwin Ipape first tryscorer
1pt each-way 18-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Preview

Papua New Guinea were edged out 24-18 by Tonga in their Rugby League World Cup opener but they have a great chance to keep their qualification hopes alive against Cook Islands.

The Kumuls more than held their own against Tonga, going down only to a last-gasp try, while the Kukis had to come from behind to defeat Wales 18-12.

Edwin Ipape was the star of the show for PNG in that opening defeat, picking up the man-of-the-match award and laying on a superb try for Lachlan Lam.

Ipape, named the Championship player of the year during Leigh's promotion push in 2022, made lots of metres in his 11 scoots from dummy half and he could be too hot for the Cook Islands to handle.

The hooker is in fantastic form and looks a huge price at 18-1 to open the scoring.

These two have met fives times with PNG winning the lot. They have scored 192 points across those matches at an average of 38.4 points per game so they can do the business in a fixture full of points.

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