The PNG Kumuls scored one of their more impressive victories in recent seasons with a 24-14 win over Fiji on Saturday night at Campbelltown Stadium.
The PNG Kumuls had to do it tough with Fiji having a lot more ball and tackles in the opposition 20, but a try just before half time from McKenzie Yei gave them the momentum heading into the second half, and they eventually overran the Fiji side in the second half.
As ever we followed the game with great interest, and our PNG focused match summary is here with our thoughts on key points from the game.
DAVID MEAD GOES OUT A WINNER AND A CHAMPION
PNG Kumuls captain David Mead has ended his international career as a winner, scoring a try in the second half that all but sealed the game for the Kumuls and he deserves no less.
Mead announced pre game that Saturday night’s game against Fiji was to be his last game for the Kumuls, as he was stepping aside for the new generation of PNG players to get their chance at the upcoming 2021 World Cup that Mead himself
It’s not as if the man couldn’t and wouldn’t have played in the 2021 World Cup, but his decision to move aside to allow the next best players to get their chance to shine proves Mead is a man for his country and rugby league.
JUSTIN OLAM THE NEW MAN TO LEAD THE KUMULS?
Justin Olam was the big name for the Kumuls going into the game against Fiji on Saturday, and unsurprisingly didn’t disappoint.
His run in the first half that set up the Kumul’s first try came against the run of play as Fiji dominated, and was important as it allowed the Kumuls to get some momentum. It was a display of pure speed not often seen in the NRL for the Storm.
Usually it is power on display, and this was on display as usual for the Kumuls, but his deft left foot kick for a try assist was another moment of magic.
With David Mead stepping side, and given his profile back in PNG from his Storm exploits, there’s no one better to lead the Kumuls at the 2021 Wolrd Cup.
KYLE LAYBUTT
What may be lost in the end result of the Kumuls big win was the outstanding performance of five eighth Kyle Laybutt.
While his goal kicking will be the only thing that makes the scorecards from the match, there was so much more from the Townsville Blackhawks five eighth.
First of all Laybutt was simply sensational in defence, and he was up against no less than NRL superstar Viliame Kikau who he chopped down time and time again in the first half. But it seemed anyone who picked out the Kumuls number six was suddenly stopped in their tracks by the quality defence from Laybutt, who has always given plenty for the PNG side.
In addition to his heroic defence, his kicking game was best on ground, and was certainly one of the differences between PNG and Fiji. Laybutts’s kicking game kept the Kumuls in the game when they were being dominated, and was much better than Fiji’s kicking game, which was one on the Bati’s main bad points.
He has always given all for PNG, and deserves a go at the NRL, not forgetting Cody Walker was mid 20’s second tier player before getting his NRL break.
CAPRAS PLAYERS CENTRAL TO BIG WIN
Those who casually follow the Queensland Cup will be mildly surprised to see the Central Capras sitting third on the ladder, and on equal points with second. Their 17 competition points they have in 2022 is ten more than their combined haul from their last two seasons.
But after seeing the efforts of the two PNG stars that play for the Capras – Nixon Putt and McKenzie Yei – it isn’t hard to imagine why the Capras are going so good.
Nixon Putt playing well is no surprise, he has been one the PNG Kumuls best in recent seasons of Test matches, and held his own at the Norths Devils before moving to the Capras.
But McKenzie Yei tearing up the field was as big a surprise as the Capras themselves on Saturday night.
He became a commentators favourite with his work, but it was justified.
His hit-ups were taken with purpose, and his try was just pure enthusiasm, determination and brute strength. And crucial to give the Kumuls a half time lead the stats say they shouldn’t have had.
Hey, he almost scored a try in the second half with his bare bum showing for 10 metres such was the determination to do it for the Kumuls.
Perhaps these two could lead the Capras to unexpected glory in 2022. Either way they’ll both be going to the 2022 World Cup injury permitting.
PNG COULD SOLVE HALF A PROBLEM FOR DOLPHINS
NRL newcomers Redcliffe Dolphins are struggling for some big names and key position signing for 2023, but after a masterful performance from both Kumuls halves on Saturday night, they could do worse than enquire about PNG’s six and seven.
As we have already discussed, Kyle Laybutt again put in one of those underrated performances for the Kumuls, but Lachlan Lam will get the most highlights on regular TV from the game.
His two tries will headline the performance but the run for David Mead’s ty in the second was a moment that essentially sealed the game for PNG, and he was excellent throughout.
Lam’s seven tackle breaks for the night were a game high alongside three other players. And scored two tries himself.
With Lachlan Lam forever stuck behind players at the Roosters, the Dolphins could do worse than look at Lam for 2023. Do it now before he is taken by a UK Super League club. At 24 there’s still many good years ahead of him. Same for Laybutt, who’s only a few years older but could be a good options for their first few seasons. He has looked great for PNG with every match showing he is up for the next step too.
BORING STUFF – DEFENCE, DISCIPLINE AND COMPELTION RATES KEY
A few things we suggested the Kumuls had to do to overcome Fiji on Saturday night in our Preview of the PNG Kumuls v Fiji game was discipline and keep Viliame Kikau quiet-ish. Safe to say it worked out that way for the Kumuls.
Discipline has been something that has cost both the PNG Kumuls and Hunters in key matches and seasons, but the Kumuls kept it tight on Saturday against Fiji.
First of all their defense was superb. How else do you explain winning a game of rugby league with 46% possession and about a fifth of the total tackles inside the 20 metre zone that Fiji enjoyed.
Fiji threw plenty at the Kumuls, especially in the first half, and with human wrecking balls like Kikau and Kamikamica, but the PNG Kumuls somehow went to the break conceding just six points. It would have been only further four in the second half too if not for a last minute try after the game had been well and truly won.
Errors too have always been a frustrating aspect to PNG games, but Saturday’s win over Fiji saw just five errors for a completion rate of 88%. Making the most of their sets allowed them to get out of trouble when they were struggling, and make the most of the ball when they had it.
There were still a few too many penalties and set restarts, but one could argue that PNG didn’t exactly get the 50-50 calls either.
LITTLE BIT OF FLAIR
Just quickly and going against the previous point, the Kumuls looked really good when spreading the ball, but you could argue they didn’t do it quite enough.
Perhaps with the discipline under control they could look to expand in the future, as they looked good when they did against Fiji.
SOLO WANE
There was talk on social media heading into the PNG Kumuls about the selection of Solo Wane on the wing, about height and 2022 form, but surely his performance against the Fijians proved that he was a deserved selection.
He put his hand up with just about every set, taking the hit-ups early in the tackle count to get the momentum the Kumuls needed. Especially in the first half when Fiji had all the ball and territory.
He ended up with highest number of run metres for the PNG Kumuls against Fiji with 176 metres and just two of those were kick return metres, so very few of his runs were easy.
PNG KUMULS v FIJI BATI FINAL SCOREBOARD
PNG KUMULS 24
Tries: Lachlan Lam 24′ McKenzie Yei 38′ David Mead 66′ Lachlan Lam 74′
Goals: Kyle Laybutt 4/4
FIJI BATI 14
Tries: Kevin Naiqama 12′ Sunia Turuva 54′ Sunia Turuva 79′
Goals: Nautu’a Masima 1/3
PNG KUMULS v FIJI BATI STATS
Here are some key stats from the PNG Kumuls v Fiji Bati match.
