PNG Kumuls Dominate Fiji to Secure Third Straight Pacific Bowl Title

Papua New Guinea’s Kumuls triumphed over the Fiji Bati with a decisive score of 50-18 in the Pacific Bowl final held on March 2, 2024, at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. This victory marks the Kumuls’ third consecutive title in the tournament, solidifying their dominance in the competition.

The match was characterized by an impressive performance from the home side, who showcased their attacking prowess by scoring eight tries. Key players such as Lachlan Lam, Edwin Ipape, and Nene Macdonald played pivotal roles in the victory. Veteran player Nixon Putt made significant contributions with 128 run metres, while team captain Rhyse Martin demonstrated his defensive skills with 31 tackles.

Ipape, named Player of the Match, not only recorded 118 run metres but also scored one try and assisted another. After the game, he expressed gratitude to the fans and the Fiji team, stating, “Thanks to Fiji for a great game of footy this afternoon. Thanks to all the fans for turning out in numbers.”

Strong Start and Defensive Resilience

The Kumuls established an early lead, with Martin noting that their strong start was crucial. “I thought we were better defensively,” he remarked. “We defended 30 players in a row before they went over.” The statistics reflect their solid performance; PNG completed 74 percent of their sets, achieving 26 out of 35, while Fiji managed a 70 percent completion rate with 26 out of 37.

The Kumuls also demonstrated their attacking efficiency with nine linebreaks compared to Fiji’s four. PNG broke tackles 43 times, while the Bati managed 28. On the defensive side, PNG made 237 effective tackles and missed 28, whereas Fiji missed 44 tackles throughout the match.

Fiji’s stand-in captain, Sunia Turuva, acknowledged the challenge posed by the Kumuls and praised their performance. “To the Kumul brothers, thank you,” he said. “To my Bati brothers, another year we fell short. I hope we can bounce back next year.”

Women’s Tournament Highlights

In related news, the Tonga XIII women’s team completed their tournament on a high note, securing their first victory since 2020 against the PNG Orchids with a score of 42-6. The Cook Islands Moana claimed the women’s Pacific Bowl title the previous weekend after winning against both PNG and Tonga.

The strong performances from both the Kumuls and the women’s teams highlight the growing excitement and competitive spirit within Pacific rugby. As the Kumuls continue to build on their success, fans are left eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this thrilling tournament series.