Rugby League World Cup : Samoa Leads Kumuls 14–6 at half-time in Round 2 Clash

At the half-time whistle, Samoa holds a hard-fought 14–6 lead over Papua New Guinea in an intense Rugby League World Cup Round 2 encounter at the Santos National Football Stadium.

Playing in fine weather on a good track, Samoa struck early when Sualauvi Fa'alogo crossed for the opening try just 1 minute into the match.

The Kumuls fought back strongly in front of a passionate home crowd, with Bailey Biondi-Odo crossing the try line in the 18th minute, expertly converted by Rhyse Martin to level things up briefly. However, Samoa regained the momentum late in the half, with Spencer Leniu scoring in the 30th minute (converted by Stephen Crichton) followed by a crucial try from Crichton himself in the 36th minute.

At the break:

• Papua New Guinea: 6 (1 try, 1/1 conversions — Biondi-Odo 18’; Martin conversion 18')
• Samoa: 14 (3 tries, 1/3 conversions — Fa'alogo 1’, Leniu 30’, Crichton 36’; Crichton conversion 30')