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'Toughest man alive' leads PNG towards World Cup dream
Joel Gould, AAP • October 20th, 2026 2:58 pm
Edwin Ipape | Photo: AAP
When injured Papua New Guinea international Cooper Bai was asked which current Kumul would have the biggest influence on the World Cup the answer was on the tip of his tongue.
"That's easy … Edwin Ipape," Bai told AAP.
"Edwin is next level and the toughest man alive. He will run it straight at you and tackle anyone that moves but he is also very smart with everything that he does. He represents the country so well and is the player everyone wants to play with."
Ipape, the PNG hooker, had a brilliant start to the World Cup with two try assists and slick dummy-half service in the 42-18 win over Lebanon in Port Moresby.
The Kumuls host Samoa on Saturday and will be underdogs but the World Cup is crying out for an upset and a win would likely qualify the Jason Demetriou-coached side for the semi-finals.
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Ipape, who plays in the Super League for Leigh Leopards, is one of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape's favourite players with both hailing from Hela province.
AAP was told that Marape contacted Ipape to determine his contract situation ahead of the PNG Chiefs joining the NRL in 2028.
Ipape inked a seven-year deal with the Leopards through to 2031 with no NRL release options in the deal but at just 27 there is still time for him to be a Chief down the track.
In the meantime, playing for the Kumuls on the international stage is his time to shine.
He already has two major man of the match awards in Test football. He starred in the 2023 Pacific Bowl final 32-12 win over Fiji and was voted the best in last year's 50-18 win over the same opponents to win the title.
A shining display off the bench in a famous 28-10 victory over Great Britain in 2019 announced Ipape as a rare talent.
He has also made his mark in the Super League, a with a Challenge Cup final win with Leigh in 2023 a highlight.
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YouTube is littered with clips of Ipape's big hits where he drives opponents backwards with incredible strength.
Add that to his magic from No. 9 with ball in hand and it is no wonder the Mount Hagen-born powerhouse is called "King of Leigh".
While a World Cup trophy win appears to be a way off for PNG it is a goal that Bai said the Kumuls had within their hearts.
"With the squad that we have the goal is to push PNG further and get us close to hopefully winning the World Cup in the future," Bai said.
"Setting high goals is the best thing that we can do and I feel like we will be able to do that, whether it is now or later. I am fairly confident that one day Papua New Guinea will come through with a win.
"It would be absolute next level and everyone would go bonkers in Papua New Guinea if we were able to win one."
Gold Coast forward Bai, who injured a hamstring preparing for the World Cup, said hosting two World Cup games against Lebanon and Samoa was a major milestone.
"It is massive, not only for the boys playing but for the whole country," he said.
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