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.