PNG vs Fiji Tips & Preview - PNG vs Fiji Tips & Preview - Kumuls to claim Pacific Championship Bowl with victory
PNG and Fiji are set to face off in the Pacific Championship Bowl, with PNG poised as slight underdogs despite recent strong performances, including a commanding win against the Cook Islands. Key metrics such as run meters and defense will be crucial, with a potential low-scoring game anticipated. Fiji, bolstered by their victory over the Cook Islands, also enters the match with formidable intent, led by standout player Jahream Bula. Both sides have made strategic team changes, promising an engaging and competitive showdown this weekend. The match could pivot on PNG's effective defense and Fiji's high-scoring potential.
- PNG Kumuls vs Fiji Bati expert predictions for Saturday’s Round 2 NRL game
- PNG slight underdog but backed for victory in the Championship Bowl
- Expect a defence-heavy game with a low-scoring outcome
PNG vs Fiji Preview
PNG are backed to claim the victory and with it the Pacific Championship Bowl on Saturday. As underdogs as home, I'm happy to take those odds as well as a low-scoring game.
- PNG vs Fiji Preview
- Head to Head
- PNG Form
- PNG Team News
- PNG Team List
- Fiji Form
- Fiji Team News
- Fiji Team List
- PNG displayed the better overall game play in their matchup against Cook Islands, supported by Run Metres, Tackle Busts and Post Contact Metres.
- 9 of the last 10 games between these two teams have gone Under 48.5 pts.
- Jahream Bula was the first tryscorer in their win over Cook Islands, PNG allowed the first try in their win last weekend.
- Jahream Bula scored 8 tries in 18 games this season for the Tigers.
Head to Head
PNG have won two straight and three of the last five against Fiji. The most recent matchup in last year’s Pacific Championship finished 22-10 in Suva.
PNG Form
PNG took their first win of the 2025 Pacific Championships in emphatic fashion last weekend 40-28 against the Cook Islands.
After allowing the first try of the match to their opponents, the Kumuls quickly regrouped to score 4 first half tries going into the half-time break 22-12. PNG owned 67% of Territory in the first half and racked up 810 Run Metres winning the Linebreaks battle 6-3.
The second half saw more of the momentum favour the opposition with PNG making 10 errors, essentially gifting the other team scoring chances.
Despite letting in two tries and giving the Aitu some hope, the Kumuls were able to pile on three more tries themselves to put the game out of reach.
The back five all had 100+ run metres while the young bench forward Cooper Bai added 147 metres and 29 tackles.
PNG Team News
Robert Derby has been left out of the 17 despite scoring two tries in the win over Cook Islands last weekend. Dudley Dotoi is the new winger.
Valentine Richard is in at prop which pushes Jack de Belin to lock with Liam Horne reverting to 18th man. Jacob Alick-Wiencke goes to the reserves, replaced by Robert Mathias.
PNG Team List
1. Morea Morea
2. Dudley Dotoi
3. Zac Laybutt
4. Nene McDonald
5. Alex Johnston
6. Gairo Voro
7. Lachlan Lam
8. Epel Kapinias
9. Edwin Ipape
10. Valentine Richard
11. Rhyse Martin
12. Nixon Putt
13. Jack de Belin
Interchange
14. Finley Glare
15. Robert Mathias
16. Cooper Bai
17. Sylvester Namo
Reserves
18. Liam Horne
19. Robert Derby
20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Fiji Form
Fiji had the week off last weekend after a dominant 44-24 victory over the Cook Islands in week 1. Jahream Bula scored four tries on the way to victory running for 164 metres with 2 Linebreaks from the fullback position.
Fiji dominated the game in the first half with 60% possession and 52% Territory. They had 899 run metres and three Linebreaks putting on five tries to one.
The second half was lacklustre with the Cook Islands completely turning the game on its head with 59% possession and 64% Territory. They had 36 tackles inside the Fiji 20m zone but failed to convert their chances.
Fiji’s defence does need to be commended for withstanding the battering but against a better structured attack the question remains whether they would have had the same success.
Fiji Team News
Jethro Rinakama is out injured and will miss the rest of the tournament, he is replaced on the wing by debutant Ronald Philitoga.
Michael Jennings is also out with Jope Rauqe the new centre. Fiji based player Keresi Maya has dropped to the reserves with Ben Nakubuwai coming into the team.
Fiji Team List
1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Jope Rauqe
4. Semi Valemei
5. Ronald Philitoga
6. Kurt Donoghoe
7. Brandon Wakeham
8. Tui Kamikamica
9. Peni Tagituimua
10. Michael Waqa
11. Taane Milne
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Caleb Navale
Interchange
14. Terrell Kalo Kalo
15. Solomone Saukuru
16. Ben Nakubuwai
17. Kylan Mafoa
Reserves
18. Akuila Qoro
19. Keresi Maya
20. Gabriel Tunimakubu
Verdict
Take the Kumuls to win on the moneyline as the slight underdog. There will likely be a premium on defence in this game so also take the Under. Jahream Bula was everywhere in Fiji’s week 1 win, take him to cross here as first and anytime tryscorer.
PNG Kumuls
Moneyline
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Under 48.5
Game Total
@9/10 - 2 Units
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Jahream Bula
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Jahream Bula
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