Papua New Guinea have named their strongest ever side and should have few problems putting Cook Islands to the sword on Saturday afternoon.
Featured Betting Sites
✨New Site!✨Use Code: SEEKER500
✨New Site!✨Use Code: SEEKER500
✨New Site!✨Use Code: NOVA500
✨New Site!✨Use Code: NINJA500
✨New Site!✨Use Code: SEEKER500
✨New Site!✨Use Code: SEEKER500
✨New Site!✨Use Code: DASH250
Use Code: SEEKER500
Use Code: SEEKER500
Top-Rated Bookie!What are you prepared to lose today?
Set a deposit limit.
Best Bet
Papua New Guinea laying just 18.5 points is a gift from the gods and an all-time max bet.
Jason Demetriou has named arguably the strongest ever PNG team, a side that has 10 players with NRL experience including six who played this year along with four Super League players. The Kumuls are significantly strengthened this week with five key additions: Super League trio Edwin Ipape, Lachlan Lam and Rhyse Martin, Souths legend Alex Johnston and young Cowboy Zac Laybutt.
They significantly overpower a Cook Islands team that has eight players with NRL experience but just KL Iro as a regular top grader.
These two nations have met eight times with Papua New Guinea winning all eight. The Kumuls have won all matches by at least 10 points. These nations have met the last three years with PNG winning by 16, 36 and 22.
The Kumuls have won seven of their last nine against Tier 2 nations while they have won 10 of their last 13 in Port Moresby by 18-plus.
Cook Islands have lost seven straight with 16 of those by 16-plus.
Chips in the Kumuls minus.
Same Game Multi
Alex Johnston is on the verge of being the greatest tryscorer in premiership history with 210 ties in 243 games.
Nene Macdonald is an elite tryscorer with 12 tries in 19 internationals and scored six tries in 10 games in the UK this season with Salford and Oldham.
Zac Laybutt has two tries in his three-Test career with both tries coming against Cook Islands.
Value Bet
PNG have brought in five big names for this Test and unquestionably the best of those is Leigh star hooker Edwin Ipape. Ipape is one of the best rakes in the world and it is his running game that sets him apart. He has 44 tries in 103 games across four seasons for the Leopards so knows his way to the tryline. He has three tries in 11 games in his national colours.
Follow Betseeker for weekly expert NRL tips and predictions for the 2025 NRL season. Check out Betseeker’s best betting sites and new betting sites to place your NRL bets!
