Thoughts on the PNG Kumuls v Fiji Test – PNG 20 Fiji 22

PNG may have lost their Oceania Cup match 22-20 to Fiji, but there are loads of positives for the Kumuls going forward.

The team played well overall, and there were some standout performances.

For a full review of the game – head to our official match review at the Nothing But League website.

For now, stand by for our thoughts on the PNG Kumuls v Fiji test.

KYLE LAYBUTT KICKED

The Kumuls’ five-eighth was arguably the best player on the field.

His kicking game was spot on all match and included some big kicks – and some small ones – that led to points.

Sadly his 70 metre-plus drop out was eventually turned into the first Fiji try a few plays later, but not long after his perfect grubber close to the line was picked up by Rhyse Martin for the Kumuls’ opening try.

Another big moment from the Townsville Blackhawks half was a booming 80-metre kick halfway through the second half. That territory gain led to what would have been the Kumuls’ fourth try, only for it to be denied for a marginal offside call on Justin Olam from a subsequent grubber.

Laybutt and Watson Boas worked well; it looks like the Kumuls have a decent halves combination for the future.

WATSON BOAS SHINES

Watson Boas had a good day out for the Kumuls against Fiji, providing the perfect support to Kyle Laybutt in the halves, scoring a try – his fifth in eight games for the Kumuls.

He was lively in attack as ever, but was also handy in defence, some of it defying his size.

A perfect cross-field kick from Fiji (when they were on top early) was successfully caught by the Storm’s monster winger Vanivalu, but before he could get the ball down he was met with the force of a full-pace Watson Boas, who put enough on him to push him into touch. Later, he put a massive hit on Fiji’s other dangerous winger Sivo, defying the size difference and slowing Sivo at a critical time when a line break looked likely.

He has scored 13 tries in 28 games in the UK for Featherstone and Doncaster this season, and he has certainly stepped out from the shadows of his brother Ase, who led the PNG Hunters to a title in 2017.

EDENE GEBBIE

Many fans of PNG rugby league have been excited about Justin Olam this season, and rightly so; after his performance against Fiji on Saturday, Edene Gebbie may give the same fans something extra to cheer for in the NRL next season.

Gebbie has gone from the PNG Hunters’ best fullback in 2018, to the Intrust Super Cup’s best fullback for Wynnum in 2019, so who knows for the Rabbitohs in 2020.

He was shifted to the wing against Fiji, making way for the NRL experience of Alex Johnston, but that didn’t lessen his impact for the Kumuls.

It did start off a little shaky when he and Johnston let an early bomb bounce, and only a small Fijian knock on saw the error not punished in full.

But from there he was pure box office for the Kumuls, running for over 200 metres, 1 try assist, and 1 line break, and a try to himself.

His first big run of the match was a 30-metre gain down the sideline after swooping on a Fiji mistake, and a beautiful backhand pass found Watson Boas for the Kumuls second try.

Gebbie’s second big run led to a try for himself, as he took the ball from dummy half and didn’t stop until he had crossed under the posts. The first half of the run saw him avoid many a Fijian defender before turning on the speed to score.

South Sydney and PNG fans really have something to look forward to next year.

NIXON PUTT

Another graduate from the PNG Hunters in 2019, Nixon Putt has had a stellar season for Norths Devils in the Intrust Super Cup and was arguably PNG’s best in the Test against Samoa earlier in the season.

He was lively again on Saturday against Fiji, causing some concern on the edges and produced the occasional big hit for good measure. Although there were only nine hit ups in total, he managed two tackle busts, and throw in another twenty-five tackles from a full eighty minutes and you have a decent input into the Kumuls’ performance.

Putt could be a very reliable man to call upon for the Broncos next season, as a good mix for the young impact forwards like David Fifita and Payne Haas.

ALEX JOHNSTON WORTH THE WAIT

For years there has been talk of Alex Johnston turning out for the Kumuls, and he finally did it on Saturday against Fiji.

One of the things that PNG seem to lack when facing other Pacific nations was matching the level of NRL experience, so bringing in the Rabbitohs’ star was welcome.

Johnston was solid throughout on Saturday, despite the early mix up with Gebbie, and having his level of experience at the back seemed to allow Gebbie to thrive.

Hopefully he will be available for future Kumuls games, and with David Mead still to come back, the Kumuls have a brilliant back three.

EDWIN IPAPE

Edwin Ipape was one of the lesser known Kumuls in the Test against Samoa earlier in the season, selected from Wynnum’s reserve team, but he ended up as one of the surprise packets, outplaying some higher profile teammates.

The utility did some good things for the Kumuls in his 39 minutes on the field against Fiji, surely playing himself into a higher grade for 2020.

His behind the back pass whilst in goal – and trying to avoid oncoming tacklers looking for a repeat set – was simply sensational. And the call of forward pass was marginal and spoiled what would have been fun to see where that ended.

THE ADVENTUROUS SIDE IS ENCOURAGING, BUT MORE PATIENCE IS REQUIRED

After showing some razzle dazzle at the World Nines, it was good to see the Kumuls living a little bit dangerously in attack against Fiji. Not quite at 2015 PNG Hunters level, but more in that direction.

The offloads were back, and there were little kicks and flicks creeping back into the Kumuls’ game.

However a few of the ad lib plays didn’t pay off, and although you have to accept mistakes when trying something, a few were on the first and second plays of the set. The tactic of grubber kicks was right, and they led to scoring opportunities , but to do them so early in the tackle count meant when they failed they were immediately under pressure.

But as a fan of the more devil-may-care style of rugby league, we’re certainly accepting that the odd mistake for more adventure is fine.

FIFTY/FIFTY CALLS WENT AGAINST THE KUMULS

Although you could say that Fiji deserved their win, you could also argue that the Kumuls missed out on the 50/50 calls on Saturday.

The main one was the Justin Olam no try. He stormed onto the perfect grubber which had taken a ricochet off the Fijian defender and scored, or so we all thought. The Bunker was called upon and spoiled the Kumuls’ party by declaring that Olam was offside. He was, according to the rules, but it was matter of an inch and no one would have blamed on the video ref if it was given.

But there also were a few forward pass calls that would surely not have been pulled up in the week-to-week NRL competition. But if the point is that forward passes are going to be pulled up more in the NRL next season then so be it. But it won’t be.

 OTHER STATS

Aside from those mentioned above, here are some quick stats.

Justin Olam ran for 125 metres in 11 runs (second highest metres gained for Kumuls).

Luke Page was determined as ever – 11 runs for 99 metres in just 41 minutes on the field. His 26 tackles was also the highest tackle efficiency of the Kumuls at 90%

Wartovo Puara topped the Kumuls tackle count with 36, followed by Wellington Albert with 32 and Rhyse Martin with 29.

DO THE KUMULS NEED A PRE-GAME RITUAL?

We truly love the musical Fijian pre-game ritual, and of course the other Pacific nations, but is it about time the Kumuls opened their matches with a co-ordinated call to arms.

We’d say probably not, as the Kumuls are usually fired up enough to represent their country, but if they needed a quick one organised, they could just get Willie Minoga to stand and point at the opposition, which would be threatening enough.

Rhyse Martin kicked 4/4, and his goals kicking is superb and could be a key weapon in future Kumuls games.

PNG KUMULS v FIJI TEST – THE RESULT

FIJI BATI 22

Tries: Tui Kamikamica 22′, Brayden Wiliame 31′, Viliame Kikau 43′, Ben Nakubuwai 51′

Goals: Brandon Wakeham 3/4 Conversions

PNG KUMULS 20

Tries: Rhyse Martin 26′, Watson Boas 33′, Edene Gebbie 47′

Goals: Martin 3/3 Conversions, 1/1 Penalty