The hosts won 25-12 at the Bankwest Stadium, with Papua New Guinea triumphing 27-10 in the second Pool A match against the United States. 

In Pool B, Lebanon edged past France 12-8, before England recorded a more comfortable 25-4 victory against Wales. 

Cook Islands began their tournament by defeating Tonga 30-7 in Pool C, with Samoa beating Fiji 32-17. 

In the women's competition, which only features four teams, Australia were again victorious against New Zealand, winning 22-8.

England then managed a 25-4 triumph against Papua New Guinea. 

Pool matches continue in the men's event tomorrow, with the semi-finals and gold-medal match later in the day.

The women's round-robin tournament also concludes, with a final set to decide the winning team.

The first World Cup 9s tournament sees teams play to rugby league rules, but with matches played nine-a-side with two nine-minute halves.