Tonga 24 Papua New Guinea 18, Rugby League World Cup 2021

The gutsy Kumuls paid the price for not making the most of their chances when they conceded a try to South Sydney forward Keaon Koloamatangi three minutes from time to fall 24-18 at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium.

Keaon Koloamatangi celebrates scoring Tonga's winning try. Picture: PA Wire (Image: SWpix.com)

Tonga, who are being hosted in St Helens and are ranked world number two, are highly fancied after reaching the semi-finals in 2017 and beating reigning world champions Australia and Great Britain since.

Their fanatical red-bathed supporters in a thoroughly entertained 10,409 crowd were celebrating at the end but they were left biting their nails when PNG, who face the Cook Islands at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington next Tuesday, fought back from 18-6 down in the second half to be level going into the closing stages.

Tonga supporters celebrate. Picture: SWpix.com (Image: SWpix.com)

Tonga's collection of NRL superstars were mainly kept in check by arguably the strongest PNG side ever assembled, one that now looks to be on the cards for a quarter-final date with England next month.

Underdogs PNG took an early lead as Leeds second rower Rhyse Martin strolled through a hole in the Tonga defence for the opening try, which he converted.

Dan Russell, playing on the left wing as a late replacement for Melbourne’s Xavier Coates, went close to doubling the lead before having a try ruled out for a foot in touch as the Kumuls dominated the opening 15 minutes.

Papua New Guinea’s Justin Olam is tackled by Tonga’s Will Penisin. Picture: PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

But slow-starting Tonga, coached by departed Saints boss Kristian Woolf, then came alive and after levelling matters through centre Will Penisini struck with two tries in two minutes just before the break through forward Moeaki Fotuaika and teenage half-back Isaiya Katoa, who converted all three efforts.

The Kumuls struck within a minute of the re-start when hooker Edwin Ipape, who was stopped a whisker short of touching down in the opening stanza, wriggled free from a string of attempted tackles to put his Leigh teammate Lachlan Lam over for their second try.

Papua New Guinea celebrate Lachlan Lam's try against Tonga. Picture: SWpix.com (Image: SWpix)

Martin’s second goal cut the deficit to six points and Papua New Guinea thought they had scored again when Rodrick Tai squeezed in at the corner, only to have the try contentiously disallowed by video referee Ben Thaler.

The Kumuls’ persistence paid off 13 minutes from the end when full-back Alex Johnston fashioned a try from a scrum for Russell and Martin’s touchline conversion levelled the scores.

Katoa missed with a 40-metre penalty goal but his teammate Koloamatangi came up with the decisive score after his side kept the ball alive on the last tackle.

Papua New Guinea and Tonga huddle together after the final hooter. Picture: PA Wire (Image: SWpix.com)