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Fiji Bati v PNG Kumuls: Turuva out; Tai good to go

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The inaugural Men's Pacific Bowl final will light up Santos National Football Stadium today as the Kumuls and Bati square off again.

Having gone down 43-16 to the Bati in Port Moresby last Sunday, it's hard to see how the Kumuls turn the tables even with a passionate home crowd behind them.

The Bati unleashed an array of attacking weapons including Jahream Bula at fullback and powerhouse wingers Maika Sivo and Mikaele Ravalawa while up front it was Tui Kamikamica and King Vuniyayawa laying the platform for a dominant victory.

The Kumuls and Bati have now split their past two clashes with PNG saluting 24-14 at Campbelltown Stadium during the 2022 mid-season internationals on the back of a Lachlan Lam double before Fiji proved far too strong last weekend.

With the trophy on the line and everything to play for the Kumuls are sure to hit back hard, but the Bati's experienced leaders will ensure their men are focused on the job at hand and don't get complacent after Sunday's seven-try romp.

Team News

Bati: Panthers star Sunia Turuva will miss the match with a late shuffle seeing Jason Qareqare come onto the wing and Mikaele Ravalawa shifting to the centres as they did last Sunday in Turuva's absence. Kitione Kautoga has recovered from a back injury and joins a new-look bench which also features Watisoni Waqanisaravi and Pio Seci, who weren't part of last week's final 17. Sirilo Lovokuro is the new 18th player.

Kumuls: There are no late changes to the Kumuls side, after Rodrick Tai was named to return earlier this week after missing last week with a knee injury, replacing Benji Kot in the centres. The other changes made were all on the interchange, with Liam Horne, Junior Rop and Nixon Putt coming in to join Judah Rimbu, who is the only bench man retained from last week. Hooker Edwin Ipape is good to go after receiving a monetary fine for a Judiciary charge. Prop MacKenzie Yei has been unable to overcome a knee problem and isn't included in the wider squad.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Fiji Bati is number 1 Jahream Bula
    Fullback for PNG Kumuls is number 1 Alex Johnston
  • Winger for Fiji Bati is number 2 Maika Sivo
    Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 2 Robert Derby
  • Centre for Fiji Bati is number 4 Waqa Blake
    Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 3 Zac Laybutt
  • Centre for Fiji Bati is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
    Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 4 Rodrick Tai
  • Winger for Fiji Bati is number 18 Jason Qareqare
    Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 5 Nene Macdonald
  • Five-Eighth for Fiji Bati is number 6 Kurt Donoghoe
    Five-Eighth for PNG Kumuls is number 6 Kyle Laybutt
  • Halfback for Fiji Bati is number 7 Brandon Wakeham
    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 Epel Kapinias
  • Hooker for Fiji Bati is number 9 Penioni Tagituimua
    Hooker for PNG Kumuls is number 9 Edwin Ipape
  • Prop for Fiji Bati is number 10 King Vuniyayawa
    Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 10 Valentine Richard
  • 2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 12 Apisalome Saukuru
    2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 11 Rhyse Martin
  • 2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 13 Taane Milne
    2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 12 Dan Russell
  • Lock for Fiji Bati is number 15 Caleb Navale
    Lock for PNG Kumuls is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 11 Kitione Kautoga
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 14 Judah Rimbu
  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 16 Gordon Whippy
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 15 Liam Horne
  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 17 Watisoni Waqanisaravi
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 16 Junior Rop
  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 21 Pio Seci
    Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 17 Nixon Putt

Reserves

  • Replacement for Fiji Bati is number 20 Sirilo Lovokuro
    Replacement for PNG Kumuls is number 18 Jacob Alick

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • 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.
  • Maika Sivo has scored nine tries in nine Test matches, including seven in his past five Tests.
  • Jahream Bula, Maika Sivo and Waqa Blake combined for 36 runs and 455 metres in Sunday's win over the Kumuls.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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