Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon Tips & Prediction - Lebanon to cover big line in Rugby League World Cup
Papua New Guinea face Lebanon in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with the contest expected to be competitive. PNG have a dominant home record, but Lebanon, featuring strong NRL talent and coached by Michael Cheika, are tipped to cover a sizeable +16.5 point line. Although PNG are likely to edge out a close win, Lebanon present significant value, especially given their recent performances and ability to score points. Key bets include Lebanon +16.5 and specific tryscorer options for Jacob Kiraz and Sylvester Namo.
- Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon predictions for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup game
- PNG with dominant record at home, but Lebanon tipped to cover big +16.5 line
- Kiraz & Namo backed as anytime tryscorers in Port Moresby
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 3.25pm AEDT on Saturday October 17
Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon Rugby League World Cup Tips & Prediction
Lebanon are equipped with some genuine NRL firepower and backed to cover a big +16.5 line when they square off against Papua New Guinea in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Port Moresby on Saturday.
This is shaping as a cracking contest and I think the bookies are doing this Lebanon team a disservice by pricing them as $4.00 outsiders and with a +16.5 start.
I think Lebanon are a genuine chance at the upset, but PNG have dominant home form on their side, winning 14 of their last 15 internationals on home soil and a narrow 1-12 victory for the hosts also offers value.
But the main play is Lebanon to cover. Michael Cheika is a fantastic coach, while the likes of Jacob Kiraz, Jason Saab, Jordan Samrani and rising Canterbury playmaker Alex Conti are capable of piling on a lot of points.
Kiraz was lethal in the couple of games he lined up at fullback for the Dogs this season and I like him to cross, while there's value on PNG hooker Sylvester Namo, who has a great strike rate off the bench at international level.
Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon Stats & Trends
- PNG have won 14 of their last 15 games on home soil
- Lebanon have covered the pre-game line in their last eight World Cup games
- Jacob Kiraz scored a try in both games he started as fullback for Canterbury this season
- Sylvester Namo has scored four tries in his last nine games for PNG, including three of the bench in his last five. He also scored in the final game of the QLD Cup season for Brisbane Tigers
Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon Head To Head
This will be the first competitive meeting between the two nations.
Papua New Guinea Form Analysis
PNG come into this clash having won five of their last six internationals - three victories over Fiji and two against Cook Islands, while their one defeat was a heavy 54-12 blowout to the Kiwis.
It was a solid 2022 World Cup for the Kumuls as they advanced to the quarter-finals with wins over Cook Islands and Wales before going down 46-6 against England.
That's sort of been the ceiling for PNG lately - they still have a way to go before they can trouble the elite Rugby League nations, but with the Chiefs set to enter the NRL from 2028, this is an important World Cup to showcase their talent.
Lebanon Form Analysis
Lebanon are an underrated nation on the international stage.
The Cedars far from disgraced themselves at the 2017 World Cup, beating France and putting up decent fights against Australia (0-34) and England (10-29) before pushing Tonga all the way in a 22-24 defeat.
It was also an impressive 2022 World Cup as Lebanon beat Ireland and Jamaica, along with troubling New Zealand at stages during a 34-12 loss. They were ultimately eliminated 48-4 by the Kangaroos in the quarter-finals.
Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon Team News
Big blow for PNG with Alex Johnston ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, but there's still plenty of NRL talent, including Jack de Belin, Robert Derby, and Zac Laybutt.
Lebanon are without Mitch Moses, who will line up for Australia, but still boast some star NRL players like Jacob Kiraz, Jordan Samrani and Tony Francis.
| PNG | Position | Lebanon |
|---|---|---|
| Morea Morea | 1 – Fullback | Jacob Kiraz |
| Robert Derby | 2 – Winger | Tony Francis |
| Zac Laybutt | 3 – Centre | Michael Gabrael |
| Nene Macdonald | 4 – Centre | Jordan Samrani |
| Dudley Dotoi | 5 – Winger | Jason Saab |
| Gairo Voro | 6 – Five-Eighth | Khaled Rajab |
| Bailey Biondi-Odo | 7 – Halfback | Alex Conti |
| Valentine Richard | 8 – Prop | Jaxson Rahme |
| Edwin Ipape | 9 – Hooker | Yehya Ayache |
| Luca Moretti | 10 – Prop | James Roumanos |
| Rhyse Martin (c) | 11 – 2nd Row | Tony Sukkar |
| Nixon Putt | 12 – 2nd Row | Charbel Tasipale |
| Jack De Belin | 13 – Lock | Alex Twal (c) |
| Finley Glare | 14 – Interchange | Moustafa Dirani |
| Liam Horne | 15 – Interchange | Mikael Ibrahim |
| Epel Kapinias | 16 – Interchange | Jalal Bazzaz |
| Sylvester Namo | 17 – Interchange | Khalil Rahme |
| Rodrick Tai | 18 – Reserve | Joseph Nohra |
| Sanny Wabo | 19 – Reserve | Abbas Miski |
| Robert Mathias | 20 – Reserve | Tupou Francis |
| Khaiya Waiembi | 21 – Reserve | Mohamed Alameddine |
| Zev John | 22 – Reserve | Cameron Kanaan |
Verdict
Lebanon are tipped to cover a big +16.5 line, but PNG are favoured to prevail in a tight one at home.
Lebanon +16.5
Line
$1.90 - 3 Units
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PNG 1-12
Margin
$3.60 - 2 Units
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Jacob Kiraz
Anytime Tryscorer
$2.20 - 1 Unit
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Sylvester Namo
Anytime Tryscorer
$6.00 - 1 Unit
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