Papua New Guinea will host Samoa on Saturday, with a victory likely to send Jason Demetriou's underdog Kumuls into the World Cup semi-finals.
Injured international Cooper Bai expects hooker Edwin Ipape to shape the tournament after his two try assists and sharp dummy-half service helped PNG beat Lebanon 42-18.
"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, 27, plays for Leigh Leopards, where his 2023 Challenge Cup triumph was a career highlight.
AAP was told Prime Minister James Marape, who also hails from Hela province, contacted Ipape about his contract ahead of the PNG Chiefs' entry into the NRL in 2028.
Ipape has signed with Leigh through 2031, with no NRL release option, but could still join the Chiefs later.
He was man of the match in PNG's 32-12 Pacific Bowl final win over Fiji in 2023 and their 50-18 victory over the same opponents last year.
His performance off the bench in the Kumuls' 28-10 win over Great Britain in 2019 first drew attention to his talent.
The Mount Hagen-born player is known as the "King of Leigh" for his powerful tackles and skill at hooker.
Bai said PNG aimed to build towards a future World Cup title.
"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."
The Gold Coast forward, sidelined by a hamstring injury during World Cup preparations, called hosting matches against Lebanon and Samoa a major milestone.
"It is massive, not only for the boys playing but for the whole country," he said.