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Fiji vs PNG Tips & Preview - Fiji to get revenge in Pacific Championships clash

jeremy-darke
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Last updated: 17 Oct 2024
Jeremy Darke 17 Oct 2024
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  • Fiji Bati vs PNG Kumuls expert predictions for Saturday’s Pacific Championships NRL game
  • Fiji seek revenge against PNG in opener
  • PNG suffers key injuries with Johnston and Olam out
  • Fiji favored with strong attacking potential; Kikau key
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Fiji Bati
Fiji are backed (Getty)

Fiji Bati vs PNG Kumuls Predictions


Fiji lost to PNG in the final of the Pacific Bowl last year, but are backed to get their revenge this time around in the Pacific Championships opener.
  • Fiji Bati vs PNG Kumuls Predictions
  • Head to Head 
  • Fiji Form
  • Fiji Team News
  • Fiji Team List
  • PNG Form
  • PNG Team News
  • PNG Team List

PNG are suffering some key injuries to Alex Johnston and Justin Olam which forces them to play a more inexperienced backline. Fiji were strong in attack last season and can do some damage and 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 Form


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 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 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 Form


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 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 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 are tipped to 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 can be rewarded with a try.

Best Bet1: Fiji -6.5 Handicap/Line @10/11 at Betgoodwin - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Fiji Over 28.5 Team Total @9/10 at bet365 - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Villiame Kikau Anytime Tryscorer @8/5 at Hollywood bets - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Villiame Kikau First Tryscorer @14/1 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Fiji -6.5
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19 Oct 2024

Fiji Bati v PNG Kumuls