Fiji and Papua New Guinea face off in the inaugural Pacific Bowl final at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The Bati battered the Kumuls 43-16 last week with Parramatta flyer Maika Sivo causing all sorts of issues for Justin Holbrook’s men.
Pacific Cup final between New Zealand and Australia on Saturday, the Bati and Kumuls will meet on Sunday, November 5 in the Pacific Bowl decider.
Fiji vs. Papua New Guinea Pacific Bowl final 2023
Date: November 5, Sunday
Time: 4:00pm AEDT
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium
TV Channel: 9Now, Kayo, FOXTEL
Live Streaming anywhere: Try PremiumRugby 100% secure
Where I can stream Papua New Guinea vs. Fiji Rugby online?
The PNG Kumuls vs Fiji Bati match is a must-watch event for rugby enthusiasts. If you can’t make it to the stadium, don’t worry; you can still able to watch the Pacific bowl final 2023 on PremiumTV. Watch The PNG Kumuls vs Fiji Bati live stream 2023 Pacific Bowl Championships anywhere without cable, completely secure. You can catch all the action on Fox League with coverage beginning at 3.30pm AEDT, while it will also be broadcast on Channel Nine from the same time.
The History of PNG Kumuls vs. Fiji Bati
The NRL’s Rookie of the Year Sunia Turuva missed last week’s match due to a calf injury but is set to return for the final, while Holbrook has shuffled his options on the bench with Liam Horne, Junior Rop and Nixon Putt added to the side.
Recent Encounters
In recent years, PNG Kumuls and Fiji Bati have continued to deliver thrilling encounters, further fueling the excitement around their rivalry. Notable matches, such as their clashes in international competitions like the Rugby League World Cup and the Pacific Test, have been edge-of-the-seat affairs, showcasing their prowess and dedication to the sport.
Key Players to Watch Fiji team vs. PNG
1. Jahream Bula
2. Maika Sivo
3. Sunia Turuva
4. Waqa Blake
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Kurt Donoghoe
7. Brandon Wakeham
8. Tui Kamikamica
9. Penioni Tagituimua
10. King Vuniyayawa
12. Apisalome Saukuru
13. Taane Milne
15. Caleb Navale
11. Kitione Kautoga
16. Gordon Whippy
17. Watisoni Waqanisaravi
21. Pio Seci
Papua New Guinea team vs. Fiji
1. Alex Johnston
2. Robert Derby
3. Zac Laybutt
4. Rodrick Tai
5. Nene Macdonald
6. Kyle Laybutt
7. Lachlan Lam
8. Epel Kapinias
9. Edwin Ipape
10. Valentine Richard
11. Rhyse Martin
12. Dan Russell
13. Jack De Belin
14. Judah Rimbu
15. Liam Horne
16. Junior Rop
17.Nixon Putt
Pacific Championships pools
| Pool A | Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa |
| Pool B | PNG, Fiji, Cook Islands |
2023 Pacific Championships schedule and results
| DATE | MATCH | LOCATION | TIME (AEDT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 14 October | Australia 38 def. Samoa 12 | Townsville | 8:10 pm |
| Sun, 15 October | PNG 46 def. Cook Islands 10 | Port Moresby | 4:00 pm |
| Sat, 21 October | New Zealand 50 def. Samoa 0 | Auckland | 4:00 pm |
| Sun, 22 October | Fiji 22 def. Cook Islands 18 | Port Moresby | 4:00 pm |
| Sat, 28 October | Australia 36 def. New Zealand 18 | Melbourne | 8:10 pm |
| Sun, 29 October | PNG v Fiji | Port Moresby | 4:00 pm |
| Pool A final | Australia v New Zealand | Hamilton | 2:00 pm |
| Pool B final | PNG v Fiji | Port Moresby | 3:00 pm |
Key Highlights:
- Physicality: Matches between the Kumuls and Bati are known for their hard-hitting, physical style of play. Both teams boast strong and fearless players who are never shy of a tackle or a bone-crunching run.
- Passion and Pride: Representing their respective nations, the players wear their hearts on their sleeves. The passion and pride they exhibit on the field is infectious and resonates deeply with fans.
- Competitive Spirit: The competitiveness in these encounters is second to none. The teams often display impressive strategies, skill, and teamwork, making every match a neck-and-neck contest.
- Global Attention: These fixtures receive global attention, with fans from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and beyond tuning in to witness the action. The rivalry has transformed these teams into international sensations.
