Pacific Powerhouse: Papua New Guinea Stuns Fiji in Pacific Bowl Opener
In a thrilling upset, Papua New Guinea’s Kumuls have defeated Fiji’s Bati 22-10 in the opening match of the Pacific Bowl, showcasing their depth and talent in the process. The win marked a perfect start to Jason Demetriou’s coaching tenure and demonstrated the country’s push for NRL admission in the next round of expansion.
A Star-Studded Performance
Despite being the less experienced side, the Kumuls outplayed the Bati, with several standout performances. Nene Macdonald, the NRL-player-turned-Salford-fullback, was the best on field, racking up 277 metres, 10 tackle busts, two linebreaks, and five offloads. Kyle Laybutt also shone, outperforming the Bati’s halves, while Robert Derby had a big night, twice intercepting Viliame Kikau passes to create tries for the Kumuls.
A Dream Start
The Kumuls opened the scoring against the run of play, with Derby picking off a Kikau pass and racing 90 metres untouched. Macdonald then imposed himself on the game, setting up the crucial try of the night to make it 10-0 in the first half. He also scored a try of his own after the break, looming up in support play to score after Derby’s second intercept.
Fiji’s Frustrating Night
In contrast, Fiji had 10 players who featured in the NRL this year but couldn’t take their chances. Kikau’s intercepted pass ruined one of their early attacking raids, and they three times kicked the ball dead on the last in the first half alone. A lack of recognised halves showed, with the only points coming in the second half when Kevin Naiqama sent winger Semi Valemei over and Maika Sivo scored on full-time via a loose ball from a kick.
Implications and Next Steps
The Kumuls’ win means they will advance to the Pacific Cup playoff as the top-ranked team in the Bowl division, if they beat Cook Islands in Port Moresby on November 3. The result also has the potential to have implications in next year’s NRL season for Wests Tigers captain Apisai Koroisau, who may face a continued suspension if the Bati do not recover to top the group and reach the playoff.
A Bright Future Ahead
The win showcases Papua New Guinea’s depth and talent, demonstrating their push for NRL admission in the next round of expansion. With a mixture of Queensland Cup players, Super League journeymen, and Jack de Belin as the sole NRL representative, the Kumuls are building a strong foundation for future success.
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