Late Mail: Fiji Bati v PNG Kumuls
Two proud and passionate rugby league nations are set to square off in a monster clash in Suva as the Bati and Kumuls kick off their Pacific Bowl campaign.
With promotion and relegation added to the mix in 2024 there is more than just national pride at stake – the winner of the Pacific Bowl playing off against the third-placed Pacific Cup nation for a place in the 2025 Pacific Cup pool.
That makes a first-up win even more crucial in front of a heaving crowd at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium, with free-flowing football sure to be the order of the day.
The Bati and Kumuls met twice during last year’s Pacific Championships with the results shared, but both of those games were in Port Moresby, now the Bati get to play a Test on home soil for the first time since 2000 and Tui Kamikamica will have his men primed for the occasion.
Expect a torrid forward battle as Kamikamica and Ben Nakubuwai look to lay the foundations for Bulldogs superstar Viliame Kikau to run riot out wide, while the Kumuls’ NRL pairing of Jacob Alick and Jack de Belin will fight for every metre in the middle.
Team News
Fiji Bati: Taane Milne starts in the second row, which means Kitione Kautoga moves back to the bench in the No.12 jersey. Nathan Kegg-King comes onto the bench in favour of Kylan Mafoa, who is instead the replacement player. Storm big man Tui Kamikamica will captain the vastly experienced Bati outfit that includes former skipper Kevin Naiqama, who lines up for his 25th Test match, as well as blockbusting winger Maika Sivo in his 11th Test for Fiji and Viliame Kikau in his 17th Test.
PNG Kumuls: Liam Horne and Judah Rimbu swapped places an hour from kick-off, with Horne starting at hooker and Rimbu moving back to the bench. Ila Alu, Koso Bandi and Sylvester Namo join him on the bench, with Dan Russell the replacement player. Rhyse Martin skippers the side from the second row. Five-eighth Kyle Laybutt plays his 12th Test match and will form a dangerous combination with Lachlan Lam, who has 10 Tests to his name.
