Maika Sivo Lights Up Pacific Championships with Spectacular Performance for Fiji Amid Leeds Signing Buzz
In the ongoing 2024 Pacific Championships, the weekend unfolded with a flurry of intense matches and significant developments. Saturday morning brought a major announcement from Leeds, confirming the acquisition of Maika Sivo, a move that had been widely anticipated in rugby league circles.
Sivo, a seasoned winger, wasted no time in proving his prowess later that day, delivering a standout performance for Fiji in their commanding 56-6 victory over the Cook Islands in Suva. His contributions were substantial, including two tries and an impressive tally of over 200 metres gained during the match.
Amidst Sivo’s stellar showing, another standout was Ben Nakubuwai, whose future with the Leigh Leopards remains uncertain but who nonetheless added to Fiji’s dominance with his own try. This victory catapulted Fiji to the top of the Pacific Bowl group standings, albeit temporarily pending the outcome of upcoming matches.
Looking ahead, Papua New Guinea holds the key to the final group standings. A victory over the Cook Islands next weekend in Port Moresby would secure their top spot for the second consecutive year and propel them into the promotion/relegation play-off against the lowest-ranked team from the Pacific Cup group. However, for the Cook Islands to clinch the group, they face a daunting task: defeating Papua New Guinea by a staggering 89 points, a feat that would require nothing short of an extraordinary performance.
As the tournament progresses, each match intensifies the competition and sets the stage for thrilling conclusions in both the Pacific Bowl and Pacific Cup groups. The dynamics of rugby league in the Pacific region continue to unfold with surprises and standout performances, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as teams vie for glory and advancement.