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Fiji Bati v PNG Kumuls: Milne starts; Lam-Laybutt combine

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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.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Fiji Bati is number 1 Sunia Turuva
    Fullback for PNG Kumuls is number 1 Nene Macdonald
  • Winger for Fiji Bati is number 2 Maika Sivo
    Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 2 Elijah Roltinga
  • Centre for Fiji Bati is number 3 Michael Jennings
    Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 3 Robert Mathias
  • Centre for Fiji Bati is number 4 Waqa Blake
    Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 4 Rodrick Tai
  • Winger for Fiji Bati is number 5 Semi Valemei
    Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 5 Robert Derby
  • Five-Eighth for Fiji Bati is number 6 Kevin Naiqama
    Five-Eighth for PNG Kumuls is number 6 Kyle Laybutt
  • Halfback for Fiji Bati is number 7 Kurt Donoghoe
    Halfback for PNG Kumuls is number 7 Lachlan Lam

Forwards

  • Prop for Fiji Bati is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
    Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 8 Valentine Richard
  • Hooker for Fiji Bati is number 9 Penioni Tagituimua
    Hooker for PNG Kumuls is number 14 Liam Horne
  • Prop for Fiji Bati is number 10 Ben Nakubuwai
    Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 10 Jacob Alick-Wiencke 
  • 2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 11 Viliame Kikau
    2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 11 Rhyse Martin
  • 2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 15 Taane Milne
    2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 12 Jeremiah Simbiken
  • Lock for Fiji Bati is number 13 Caleb Navale
    Lock for PNG Kumuls is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 9 Judah Rimbu
  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 14 Joe Lovodua
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 15 Koso Bandi
  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 17 Jordan Miller
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 22 Ila Alu
  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 20 Nathan Kegg-King
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 23 Sylvester Namo

Reserves

  • Replacement for Fiji Bati is number 16 Kylan Mafoa
    Replacement for PNG Kumuls is number 18 Dan Russell

Match Officials

  • Referee: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Fiji play their first Test match on home soil since a 10-6 win over Tonga in June, 2000.
  • The Kumuls have won four of their past six Tests against Fiji Bati.
  • Fiji winger Maika Sivo has scored nine tries in 10 Test appearances.
  • The Kumuls have eight players with NRL experience but only two who played in 2024.
  • Bati captain Tui Kamikamica (Storm) and winger Sunia Turuva (Panthers) played in the NRL grand final on October 6.
  • The Kumuls averaged 31 points per game in winning last year’s Pacific Bowl.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.