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.
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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.
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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.