Kumuls surprise Bati in first Pacific Test

v BYE

The Papua New Guinea side has scored a 24-22 upset victory over the Fiji Bati in the first Pacific Test of the evening at Pirtek Stadium.

Despite heavy favouritism, Fiji started poorly in this contest, with PNG's enthusiasm earning them the opening points through Watson Boas - and it was a lead they extended to eight with Ase Boas not only converting but bagging a penalty goal inside the first eight minutes to have the Kumuls keeping pace with the clock.

Knowing they were in a tight contest, the Bati began to right the ship, and by the fifteenth minute struck back with a try to Roosters rookie Eloni Vunakece. Maurice Kennedy converted the try, then went off before Sitiveni Moceidreke added a penalty goal to level scores at 8-all after 22 minutes.

Fiji's dominance loomed large as the PNG side tired - Etuate Quionimacawa scored the first of three tries he'd put against his name in the 29th minute, then doubled his efforts two minutes before the break to give Fiji an eight-point buffer at the change of ends.

The second half started in much the same way the first had - with PNG providing plenty of energy and it paid dividends. Kato Ottio picked up a try early, before Watson Boas doubled his try tally to get the Kumuls in front after 52 minutes. The next 15 minutes saw each side trade defensive sets and butcher certain tries - until Nene Macdonald scored what ultimately became the match-winner seven minutes from fulltime.

Fiji fought valiantly, Quionimacawa scoring his third in the dying minutes but Fiji's last ditch efforts weren't enough to prevent the upset, and PNG came away with the victory.

The Bati will lick their wounds and head back to club footy before reuniting in Samoa at the end of the season where they'll face Toa Samoa in a test in October. PNG will next line up against the Australian PM's XIII in September.