THE squads are in for the second Rugby League World Cup men’s group stage match to be held in Warrington this year.

“Home” team Papua New Guinea, who are based in the town for the tournament, meet the Cook Islands in a critical clash at The Halliwell Jones Stadium tomorrow evening.

Having lost out narrowly to Group D favourites Tonga in their opener, PNG are highly likely to need a win to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages alive.

However, they must do so without star winger Xavier Coates – having suffered a hamstring injury in training prior to the Tonga game, his club Melbourne Storm have confirmed he will return to Australia and miss the remainder of the tournament.

Sherwin Tanabi also drops out of the squad from last week, with Jimmy Ngutlik and Jeremiah Simbiken coming in.

PNG squad: 8 Wellington Albert, 13 Jacob Alick, 18 Keven Apo, 23 Watson Boas, 9 Edwin Ipape, 1 Alex Johnston, 7 Lachlan Lam, 6 Kyle Laybutt, 3 Nene MacDonald, 12 Rhyse Martin (captain), 10 Sylvester Namo, 19 Jimmy Ngutlik, 4 Justin Olam, 11 Nixon Putt, 15 Daniel Russell, 20 Rodrick Tai, 22 Jeremiah Simbiken, 17 Emmanuel Waine, 16 McKenzie Yei

The Cook Islands held off a spirited Wales side in their opening game and if Tonga beat Wales as expected this evening, they will step out in Warrington knowing a victory will take them into the quarter-finals.

Former Warrington Wolves centre Anthony Gelling is included in a Kukis 19 which shows three changes from last week – Tinirau Arona, Moses Noovao-McGreal and Vincent Rennie come in to a squad captained by Brad Takairangi.

Cook Islands squad: 1 Kayal Iro, 2 Paul Ulberg, 3 Anthony Gelling, 4 Esan Marsters, 5 Steve Marsters, 6 Brad Takairangi (captain), 7 Johnathon Ford, 8 Makahesi Makatoa, 9 Aaron Teroi, 10 Tepai Moeroa, 11 Dominique Peyroux, 12 Brendan Piakura, 13 Zane Tetevano, 15 Tinirau Arona, 16 Reubenn Rennie, 17 Rua Ngatikaura, 18 Moses Noovao-McGreal, 20 Davvy Moale, 21 Vincent Rennie

The match kicks off at 7.30pm and tickets are still available starting at £20 for adults and £10 for children.

Fans can pay on the door at the stadium or buy online via rlwc2021.com/tickets