Mate Ma’a Tonga looks likely to make the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World, having narrowly defeated Papua New Guinea’s Kumuls by 24 to 18.

The Kumuls were widely considered to be a serious threat to MMT’S pool campaign, but with that threat out of the way, only tier 2 nations Wales and the Cook Islands remain in the way of Tonga’s quarter final ambitions.

Cook Islands defeated Wales in an exciting comeback 18 - 12 victory after trailing 8 - 12 at half-time, on Thursday morning (Tonga time).

A clean sweep of the pool, also gives MMT the psychological edge over it’s quarterfinal opponents, which most commentators predict will be either Samoa - who suffered a devastating 60 - 6 loss to England, or France - who were thrashed 44 - 12 by MMT only a week ago.

The question for many MMT fans however, is whether MMT can compete with fellow tier 1 nations England, New Zealand and Australia, who have all opened their World Cup campaigns with decisive victories. 

New Zealand defeated Lebanon 32 - 12, while Australia defeated Fiji 42 - 8.

MMT’s next game is against Wales on Wednesday October 26, at 7:30 am, (Tonga time).