By Alec McQuarrie

Papua New Guinea can ensure safe passage through to the knockout rounds if they beat Wales on Monday, providing the Cook Islands don't defeat Tonga and there is a heavy point swing.

Wales' dreams of qualifying for the knockout rounds for the first time since 2000 are still alive but they must clinch victory over Papua New Guinea by at least 22 points and hope Tonga beat Cook Islands.

There are three changes, all in the pack, to the Papua New Guinea squad that ran out 32-16 winners over the Kukis last time out.

Watson Boas, Sylvester Namo, McKenzie Yei all make way for prop Zev John, hooker Wesser Tenza and second row Sherwin Tanabi.

Will Evans, Rhodri Lloyd and Mike Butt return to the Wales squad that put in a spirited performance against Tonga last week.

Dalton Grant, Luke Thomas and Tom Hopkins saw their side eventually lose 32-6 and are left out of the squad for the game at the Eco-Power Stadium at 7:30pm on Monday.

Papua New Guinea: 8 Wellington Albert, 13 Jacob Alick, 18 Keven Appo, 24 Zev John, 9 Edwin Ipape, 1 Alex Johnston, 7 Lachlan Lam, 6 Kyle Laybutt, 3 Nene MacDonald, 12 Rhyse Martin (c), 14 Wesser Tenza, 19 Jimmy Ngutlik, 4 Justin Olam, 11 Nixon Putt, 15 Daniel Russell, 20 Rodrick Tai, 22 Jeremiah Simbiken, 17 Emmanuel Waine, 21 Sherwin Tanabi

Wales: 1 Caleb Aekins, 2 Rhys Williams, 4 Will Evans, 6 Elliot Kear (c), 7 Josh Ralph, 8 Anthony Walker, 9 Matty Fozard, 10 Dan Fleming, 11 Rhodri Lloyd, 12 Chester Butler, 14 Ollie Olds, 15 Curtis Davies, 16 Joe Burke, 17 Bailey Antrobus, 18 Connor Davies, 19 Mike Butt, 22 Kyle Evans, 23 James Olds, 24 Gavin Bennion

Head-to-head

This will be the fourth meeting in men’s internationals between Papua New Guinea and Wales; the Kumuls picked up a 50-6 win in their most recent encounter in October 2017 after losing their two previous games against Wales.

Fun fact

Wales have lost their last nine consecutive games at the Rugby League World Cup, but their last win came against Papua New Guinea in the 2000 quarter-finals (22-8).

Papua New Guinea record

Papua New Guinea have won four of their last five group stage games at the men’s Rugby League World Cup, as many as they had won in their 26 group stage games in the competition prior.

Wales record

If Wales lose on Monday it will be three consecutive group stage exits without picking up a single point, after reaching the semi-finals in their previous appearance.

Players to watch

• Papua New Guinea's Edwin Ipape has run for 198 metres from dummy half in the 2021 men’s Rugby League World Cup, the most of any player at the tournament.
• Josh Ralph of Wales has made 14 kick return tackles in the 2021 men’s Rugby League World Cup, the most of any player at the tournament.
• Wales duo Joe Burke and Ollie Olds have each made 31 support runs in the tournament so far, the joint-third most of any players in the competition 

The Rugby League World Cup promises to be the biggest, best and most inclusive event in the sport’s 127-year history with men’s, women’s and wheelchair teams competing in 61 games across 21 venues throughout England. Tickets are available via rlwc2021.com/tickets, via the stadium ticket office (from 16:30) or from the South & West Stand cash turnstiles.