Wake up call for PNG but Mad love for our Melanesian Brothers.
The crowd turned out in droves at the Santos National Football Stadium on the 29th of October to see the Kumuls take on Fiji Bati
in the final group stage of the Pacific Championship Bowl Challenge.
Despite the hype and PNG's commendable record on home soil, it was the Fijians that ran riot through the PNG defense, and with quick dummy half runs and great control in the ruck area, PNG's weakness was exposed.
PNG had limited possession and what seemed to be a lack of cohesion from the team, simple errors were capitalized on by Fiji and they ran off to a significant lead.
the Fiji back line made up of star-studded NRL players proved a handful in attack and defense and Maika Sivo as a prolific finisher managed to muscle his way over for a try and also intercept a pass and dash 90 meters for a double.
Fiji has a strong following in PNG and the support is always neutral they are our Melanesian brothers and in sports our biggest rivals.
Justin Holbrook Kumuls Coach was apologetic to the fans across PNG and at the Stadium, there was a total of 14,300 plus that provided a rousing atmosphere true to the tag of PNG's mad love for rugby league.
PNG will have to use the second chance in this final match-up to redeem themselves on home soil with a lot of pride and passion at stake and bragging rights against our number one Melanesia Rivals Fiji.
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