Rugby League World Cup predictions and betting tips: Kumuls can stay in touch

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

Where to watch

BBC Three, 7.30pm Tuesday

Best bets

Papua New Guinea +26
2pts 20-21 Betfred

Alex Johnston to score a try
1pt 13-5 Betfred, Paddy Power

Match preview

Tonga have never beaten Papua New Guinea in seven attempts yet the 2017 Rugby League World Cup semi-finalists begin their 2022 campaign as huge favourites to beat the Kumuls in St Helens.

Kristian Woolf's men are 1-20 for victory at the Totally Wicked Stadium with PNG 12-1 to maintain their unbeaten record against their Polynesian rivals.

Victory should be a formality for Tonga but it may not be as clear-cut as the prices suggest and the opening matches of the World Cup suggest backing the underdogs with a hefty start is the way to go.

Only one of the opening five fixtures saw the handicap favourites cover the spread prior to Monday's fixture between France and Greece and Papua New Guinea possess enough talent to stay in touch with a 26-point start.

It may also be worth supporting them in the tryscorer market too.

NRL star Alex Johnston is set to start at full-back for the Kumuls and he looks decent value to cross the whitewash at 13-5.

Johnston is a prolific scorer as highlighted by 166 tries in 191 appearances for South Sydney Rabbitohs, including 30 in 25 appearances in 2022, and he could give the underdogs plenty of bite.

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