Both sides are coming off wins over Cook Islands and head into Sunday's clash in Port Moresby confident of chalking up another victory.
The Kumuls ran in nine tries in their opening round win with Nene MacDonald bagging four of those while the Bati were made to work a whole lot harder for their success in week two, eventually scraping home 22-18 courtesy of a late Sunia Turuva try.
The Kumuls and Bati clashed at Campbelltown Stadium during the mid-season internationals in 2022 and it was PNG saluting 24-14 thanks to a double from playmaker Lachlan Lam, who will again be a key figure this weekend.
Prior to that it was the Bati getting home 22-20 in a thriller in Christchurch at the end of 2019, so a tense and tight struggle seems assured as these two proud nations go head-to-head.
Playing in front of their passionate fans in Port Moresby is a huge boost for the Kumuls, who will come out firing and look to blow the Bati off the park with slick ball movement to try-scoring machines Alex Johnston and MacDonald and the dangerous Zac Laybutt.
The Bati boast plenty of attacking weapons of their own and the likes of Jahream Bula, Maika Sivo and Turuva are sure to prove a handful for the home side.
Match: PNG Kumuls v Fiji Bati
Week 3 -
home Team
PNG Kumuls
2nd Position
away Team
Fiji Bati
1st Position
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Team News
Kumuls: Benji Kot is the new face in the backline, coming in at centre for Rodrick Tai who joins Storm powerhouse Justin Olam in being sidelined with a knee injury. Livewire hooker Edwin Ipape returns from suspension to start, which means Judah Rimbu moves back to the interchange. Rhyse Martin starts in the second row ahead of Titans enforcer Jacob Alick, who is instead on a new-look bench that includes Wellington Albert and Keven Appo. There is no room at this stage for Liam Horne or Nixon Putt, who were both part of the 46-10 win over the Cook Islands in week one.
Bati: Panthers flyer Sunia Turuva (calf) and Bulldogs forward Kitione Kautoga have been ruled out, their places taken by Jason Qarequare and Sirilo Lovokuro. Salford prop King Vuniyayawa comes into the front row for his eighth Test match with Gordon Whippy reverting to the bench. Mesake Ravonu also joins the bench with Watisoni Waqanisaravi making way.
Match: PNG Kumuls v Fiji Bati
Week 3 -
home Team
PNG Kumuls
away Team
Fiji Bati
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for PNG Kumuls is number 1 Alex JohnstonFullback for Fiji Bati is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 2 Robert DerbyWinger for Fiji Bati is number 2 Maika Sivo
-
Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 3 Zac LaybuttCentre for Fiji Bati is number 4 Waqa Blake
-
Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 4 Benji KotCentre for Fiji Bati is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
-
Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 5 Nene MacdonaldWinger for Fiji Bati is number 18 Jason Qareqare
-
Five-Eighth for PNG Kumuls is number 6 Kyle LaybuttFive-Eighth for Fiji Bati is number 6 Kurt Donoghoe
-
Halfback for PNG Kumuls is number 7 Lachlan LamHalfback for Fiji Bati is number 7 Brandon Wakeham
Forwards
-
Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 8 Epel KapiniasProp for Fiji Bati is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
-
Hooker for PNG Kumuls is number 9 Edwin IpapeHooker for Fiji Bati is number 9 Penioni Tagituimua
-
Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 10 Valentine RichardProp for Fiji Bati is number 10 King Vuniyayawa
-
2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 11 Rhyse Martin2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 12 Apisalome Saukuru
-
2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 12 Dan Russell2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 13 Taane Milne
-
Lock for PNG Kumuls is number 13 Jack De BelinLock for Fiji Bati is number 15 Caleb Navale
Interchange
-
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 14 Judah RimbuInterchange for Fiji Bati is number 14 Noah Nailagoliva
-
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 15 Wellington AlbertInterchange for Fiji Bati is number 16 Gordon Whippy
-
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 16 Keven AppoInterchange for Fiji Bati is number 19 Mesake Ravonu
-
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 17 Jacob AlickInterchange for Fiji Bati is number 20 Sirilo Lovokuro
Reserves
-
Replacement for PNG Kumuls is number 18 Liam HorneReplacement for Fiji Bati is number 21 Pio Seci
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bati made the semi-finals at three successive World Cups in 2008, 2013 and 2017.
- Nene MacDonald has scored nine tries in 14 Test matches for the Kumuls.
- Cult hero Maika Sivo has scored five tries in his past four Tests for the Bati.
