Papua New Guinea's Rugby League World Cup exit was all but confirmed on Monday as they lost what was effectively a qualifying shootout with Samoa 38-4 in Hull.
With defending champions New Zealand to come on Friday and a defeat to France already against their name, Adrian Lam's Kumuls knew this was a must-win if they were to have a realistic chance of taking third spot in Group B.
Improving Samoa never gave them a chance on Monday night (AEDT), with Matt Parish's side showing more of the flashes they produced in losing to New Zealand a week ago.
A defeat of the Kiwis must follow if PNG are to have any hope of progressing.
Samoa face France in their final pool game and will be increasingly confident after a seven-try display which included an Antonio Winterstein hat-trick.
If they can beat the French, second place and an easier quarter-final - likely to be against Fiji - awaits.
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