Papua New Guinea (PNG) opened their Pacific Bowl campaign with a 22-10 win over Fiji, setting a strong foundation for their goal to gain promotion to the top tier of the Pacific Championships in 2025. The match, held on Saturday night, saw PNG take charge early, defying the emotional energy of a Fijian crowd, who were witnessing their team play on home soil for the first time in 24 years. PNG dominated the first half, leaving Fiji struggling as they trailed 16-0 by halftime in Suva.
The standout player for PNG was Macdonald, who delivered an outstanding performance with 227 running meters, two line breaks, and 10 tackle breaks. His contributions helped PNG secure their second consecutive Test victory over Fiji, putting them in a favorable position to advance to the final and potentially earn promotion. The Kumuls now need a win against the Cook Islands in Week 3 to guarantee their spot in the final.
For Fiji, this defeat places them in a critical situation, with a must-win game against the Cook Islands in Week 2 if they hope to remain in contention for the promotion-relegation match. To reach the promotion play-off on November 10, they will also need the Cook Islands to defeat PNG in Week 3, while securing a better points differential.
The game started with both teams making several early errors, but a strong goal-line tackle from Taane Milne prevented PNG from scoring in the first five minutes. However, a booming 40/20 kick from Kurt Donoghoe shifted the momentum in Fiji’s favor briefly, though they were unable to capitalize on this advantage. In the 18th minute, a crucial mistake by Fiji deep in their own half allowed PNG to take the lead, ultimately setting the tone for the rest of the match. PNG’s tactical execution and relentless pressure overwhelmed the Fijian side, ensuring a dream start to their campaign.
