Rugby League World Cup live updates: Australia v New Zealand battle for first night honours

Rugby league is a national obsession in Papua New Guinea (PNG), where the sport transcends tribal divisions and unites the diverse population, despite the nearly 800 languages spoken on the island. Children will fashion balls from anything, and the crowds are so passionate that players can barely hear each other on the field. The game was introduced by Australian miners in the 1930s and quickly gained popularity, with the Kumuls national team serving as a symbol of unity.

The obsession with rugby league in PNG is so intense that visiting teams sometimes face over-excited crowds, requiring police intervention. For many, the sport offers a chance to cross borders and compete internationally. Edwin Ipape, a Papua New Guinea rugby league player, credits the game with teaching him discipline and life lessons, and welcomes the opportunity to represent his country.