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.
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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.
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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 official annual of the NRL.