Fiji Bati vs PNG Kumuls 2024 Pacific Championships Tips – Fiji get their revenge
- Fiji Bati vs PNG Kumuls expert predictions for Saturday’s Pacific Championships NRL game
- Kick off is at 6:10 PM at HFC Bank Stadium
- PNG missing Johnston & Olam; features an inexperienced lineup.
- Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet
Fiji Bati vs PNG Kumuls, Pacific Championships 2024 – Expert Prediction
Fiji will get their revenge for last season’s loss to PNG in the final of the Pacific Bowl getting their second win in 3 matches against the Kumuls.
With the format changing for the Pacific Championships this opening match will be the most important of all with both Fiji and PNG expected to be stronger than the Cook Islands. The winner of the match will likely get a chance to play for promotion into the Pacific Cup against the third placed team on that side of the draw.
PNG are suffering some key injuries to Alex Johnston and Justin Olam which forces them to play a more inexperienced backline, which will go up against the strength and experience of the Bati.
Fiji were strong in attack last season with their electrifying backline doing most of the damage. We can expect that is where they will attack PNG, especially on the edge of Villiame Kikau, who has had a revival season for the Dogs.
A high-scoring game is predicted by all and Fiji will be crossing the line the most on their way to cover as 6.5-point favourites.
- Fiji won 2 of 3 matches at the Pacific Championships last season
- Fiji scored an average of 25.6 points in 2023.
- Both Justin Olam and Alex Johnston will miss the Pacific Championships for PNG.
- Villiame Kikau scored 5 tries this season for Canterbury.
Head to Head
PNG lead the historical head-to-head 7-4 against Fiji.
PNG and Fiji played each other twice in the 2024 Pacific Championships with both teams walking away with a win each, however, it was the Kumuls who won the final.
Fiji Bati Form Analysis
Fiji were a surprise packet of the 2023 Pacific Championships winning both of their round-robin games, beating the Cook Islands in the opener 22-18 and getting an unexpected victory over PNG 43-16.
However the Kumuls turned things around against the Bati in the Final with Fiji going down 32-12.
Waqa Blake was the leading try scorer for Fiji with 3 four pointers in the tournament.
Fiji Bati Team News
Sunia Turuva will feature in the unfamiliar position of fullback with the withdrawal of Jahream Bula through injury.
Michael Jennings and Waqa Blake make up an experienced centre pairing. Viliame Kikau missed last year’s tournament but will be heavily involved this year after a stellar year.
Kevin Naiqama and Kurt Donoghoe make up the surprise halves combination.
Tui Kamikamica has been named as the team captain for the 2024 tournament.
Fiji Bati Team List
1. Sunia Turuva
2. Maika Sivo
3. Michael Jennings
4. Waqa Blake
5. Semi Valemei
6. Kevin Naiqama
7. Kurt Donoghoe
8. Tui Kamikamica
9. Penioni Tagituimua
10. Ben Nakubuwai
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Caleb Navale
Interchange
14. Joe Lovodua
15. Taane Milne
16. Kylan Mafoa
17. Jordan Miller
Reserves
18. James Valevatu
19. Ronald Philitoga
20. Nathan Kegg-King
21. Ratu Rinakama
PNG Kumuls Form Analysis
PNG took out the Pacific Bowl in 2023, beating Fiji in the final after losing to the Bati in the round-robin stage.
The performance of the the outside backs for PNG was the game breaker in the final with Robert Derby and Zac Laybutt combining for 3 linebreaks, with the former scoring a double.
Nene Macdonald was the leading try scorer for PNG, crossing the line 4 times during the tournament.
PNG Kumuls Team News
Alex Johnston and Justin Olam will both miss the match through injury which sees Nene Macdonald start at fullback this year.
Elijah Roltinga will make his debut on the wing with Judah Rimbu also playing his first match for PNG at hooker.
Jack De Belin will lock the scrum, giving some much needed experience in the forward pack.
PNG Kumuls Team List
1. Nene Macdonald
2. Elijah Roltinga
3. Robert Mathias
4. Rodrick Tai
5. Robert Derby
6. Kyle Laybutt
7. Lachlan Lam
8. Valentine Richard
9. Judah Rimbu
10. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
11. Rhyse Martin
12. Jeremiah Simbiken
13. Jack De Belin
Interchange
14. Liam Horne
15. Koso Bandi
16. Sylvester Namo
17. Ila Alu
Reserves
18. Daniel Russell
19. Sanny Wabo
20. Morea Morea
Verdict
Fiji will cover the 6.5 points as the favourite and score over their team total of 28.5 points. Villiame Kikau will be the centre of their attack and he will be rewarded with a try.