Papua New Guinea have set their sights on Pacific Bowl glory after holding off a valiant Cook Islands in Port Moresby. 

The Kumuls ran in seven tries to five in a 40-28 victory to open their Pacific Championships campaign with a victory in front of nearly 15,000 raucous fans at Santos National Football Stadium.

After trailing by 10 at the break, the Aitu fought bravely to get back in the contest and pulled within six with six minutes to play but they were unable to finish over the top of their rivals. 

The Kumuls will now play Fiji next weekend in a battle for the Pacific Bowl, while Cook Islands will turn their focus to a World Cup qualifier against South Africa on November 9. 

Cook Islands kept their noses in front through much of the opening half, however a mounting error toll allowed Papua New Guinea to take the upper hand throughout the final 10 minutes of the period. The Kumuls took full advantage to score two late tries and open up a 22-12 lead at the break. 

The defining moment of the match came when Mason Teague looked to burrow his way over the line in the 66th minute. The Kumuls scrambled to get underneath the ball and successfully held him up to stop Cook Islands levelling the scores.

Santos National Football Stadium then erupted after PNG went 90 metres to turn defence into points. The Aitu attacked to the left, however KL Iro spilt the pass and the Kumuls were off. Nene Macdonald broke multiple tackles before linking up with Morea Morea, who cruised to the try line to put the home side ahead 34-22.

Cook Islands just wouldn't go away and Delahia Wigmore crossed to set up a grandstand finish. Fatigue was high in oppressive conditions in Port Moresby, with Wigmore taking advantage of some tiring Kumuls defenders to burst through and pull his side within six points.

Rookie five-eighth Gairo Voro sealed the win after ttaking an intercept and racing 50 metres to send nearly 15,000 fans into raptures. Cook Islands attempted to keep the ball alive as they chased an equaliser, but Voro read the play and plucked the ball out of the air to put a punctuation mark on the win.