Fiji v PNG preview

Fiji Bati v Papua New Guinea
Cbus Super Stadium - Saturday 5:35pm

Fiji Bati coach Rick Stone has named a side with a mix of young and old, experience and enthusiasm, ahead of his side's clash with the PNG Kumuls on Saturday night. Fiji Bati boast a number of NRL stars in their line up, including Korbin Sims, Apisai Koroisau, Kevin Naiqama, Marika Koroibete and Darryl Millard, who will line up alongside a whole host of players from the lower grades. A lot of talent is missing from what would have been an even stronger Fiji Bati side, thanks to several players' callups to the Country v City clash the following day.

Three Fiji-based players have been included in the side - Osea Sadrau, Tikiko Noke and Timoci Ratulolodabea.

For PNG, the inclusion of the Hunters into the Intrust Super Cup competition has afforded them valuable opportunity to gain experience in a more structured competition. While they lack in NRL veterans, they've got more higher grade experience than they have had in the past - with nine players having experience with the PNG Hunters side over the past couple of years. In fact, the Kumuls only NRL experience comes in the form of Nene MacDonald and Ray Thompson.

Last meeting: Well, there isn't one. This Pacific Test will make history as the first time these two sides have faced each other, so the head to head statistics really go out the window on this one. The RLIF 6th World Ranked side, Fiji, performed well in the 2013 World Cup, but that was a long time ago. Papua New Guinea, the only nation to boast Rugby League as its national sport, didn't put together the same performances, but feature a much more experienced side for this match up.

Who to watch: Marika Koroibete should prove to be a handful in defence for the Kumuls, and things don't get any easier on the other side of the field, with big Eto Nabuli running at them. But it's Jayson Bukuya we're most interested to see perform. Despite playing only 5 matches so far this season, Bukuya adds some experience and stability to a young Fiji pack. His leg speed and footwork should serve him well against the Kumuls forwards.

For the Kumuls, it will be interesting to see how their side performs as a whole, considering their relative lack of NRL experience. Traditionally a physical clash, the Fiji Bati will have no doubts they have played a game come Sunday morning, and there'll likely be some bruising hits to keep the crowd captivated.

The favourite: Fiji are strong favourites in this match up, with the Papua New Guinea side starting almost $4.50 outsiders. That said, if you're brave enough to take it, there's big money to be won on a Papua New Guinea win. Punters have been taking up the risk, with most of the betting money being placed on the Kumuls.

My tip: It's hard to go past Fiji in this one, although it'll be closer than most anticipate. A few big names missing from the Fiji side, coupled with a more experienced Papua New Guinea side than we've seen in the past, means this should be a great game. Fiji by 10.

1. Kevin Naiqama 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Fabian Goodall 4. Brayden Wiliame 5. Eto Nabuli 6. Daryl Millard 7. Ryan Millard 8. Eloni Vunakece 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Jayson Bukuya 12. Jacob Saifiti 13. Korbin Sims
Interchange: 14. Tyrone Phillips 15. Viliame Kikau 16. Tikiko Noke 17. Osea Sadrau 18. Timoci Ratulolo Dabea

Papua New Guinea:

1. Josh Damen 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Thompson Teteh 4. Kato Ottio 5. Matt Trnka 6. Israel Eliab 7. Stanton Albert 8. Ray Thompson 9. Wellington Albert 10. Rhyse Martin 11. Tyson Martin 12. Luke Page 13. Wartovo Puara
Interchange: 14. Willie Minoga 15. Brandy Peter 16. Adam Korave 17. Lawrence Tu'u 18. Noel Zemming

Referees: Matt Cecchin; Sideline Officials: Jeff Younis, Chris Sutton; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Luke Patten;

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