The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls delivered an outstanding performance on Saturday night, defeating the Fiji Bati 22-10 in their Week 1 clash of the Pacific Championships at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. The win marked a significant comeback for the Kumuls, who rebounded from a tough loss the previous week against Australia in the PMs XIII, by displaying a near-flawless game plan and showcasing their depth and resilience. PNG skipper Rhyse Martin expressed his pride in the team’s efforts, especially as they returned to Pacific soil for the first time in a while. "It's pretty special. We sang our team song, and just the passion in it, the boys got around each other through this week and executed a flawless game plan," Martin said during the post-match press conference. He highlighted that playing against a physical and skilled Fijian side was no easy task, but the Kumuls' ability to stick to their strategy for the full 80 minutes made the difference. The Kumuls' tactical focus was on tightening up their defense around the ruck, a lesson learned from their loss against Australia. Martin credited head coach, Jason Demetriou, for preparing the team to counter Fiji’s threat around the markers and ensuring they dominated the middle of the field. “We had a big ask of our middles to turn up and bring that energy, and for them to keep doing that for 80 minutes is the reason we got the result tonight,” he added. The Kumuls' victory was a team effort, with key contributions from players across the field. Robert Derby opened the scoring in the 17th minute, followed by tries from Judah Rimbu, Sylvester Namo, and Nene Macdonald. Martin was instrumental not only as captain but also in converting three of the four tries, adding crucial points to the scoreboard. Fiji's Semi Valemei and Maika Sivo managed to cross the line for the Bati, but the Kumuls' defensive structure held firm throughout the match, limiting Fiji’s chances and capitalizing on their own. Demetriou commended the team’s debutants, stating, “Four debutants tonight, no one blinked. Everybody owned their role. Like I said, the future is so exciting.” "These guys have the responsibility to wear the Kumul's shirt that's looked at by every person in the country. I don't think you'll find a better group to represent the shirt than the way these guys do. " Demetriou described the past 10 days before Saturday's game as a whirlwind for the squad, many of whom travelled from different parts of the world and had limited time to train together. Despite these challenges, the Kumuls gelled quickly, proving their potential. "We spoke before the game. There's no lack of passion for every player who puts on the Kumuls shirt. We want to put some process and tactics behind that passion, and I thought that was a great start tonight (Saturday)," Demetriou said. Looking ahead, Demetriou is optimistic about the Kumuls’ future as they prepare to face the Cook Islands next. The match will be crucial for PNG as they aim to build on their momentum and sharpen their gameplay. “We’ll enjoy this tonight, but we’ll also have a week off and assemble again for the Cook Islands week,” Demetriou added. The Kumuls will also be strengthened by the return of several key players who missed the game due to injury. Demetriou pointed out that this added depth would only enhance the team’s performance moving forward. “There are still half a dozen players that are unavailable through injury or just not available. So that’s something to look forward to in the future as well,” he said. Despite Fiji’s best efforts, including tries from Valemei and Sivo, the Bati struggled to find consistency in their game. Their conversion rate was low, with only one successful conversion out of two attempts, while PNG converted three out of four tries. Martin acknowledged the challenge of facing Fiji, praising their competitive spirit and the significance of the match for the PNG squad. "You know, we’ve been battling against them for a long time. We go toe-to-toe with them every time we play. And to do it here on their soil, it’s a special feeling," he said. The Kumuls will now focus on their next game, aiming to continue their winning streak and bring joy to their passionate supporters back in PNG. With momentum on their side, the team will be eager to showcase their talent once again in front of their home fans in Port Moresby. In a final reflection on the night’s victory, Martin summed up the emotions of the team: “To represent your country, especially Papua New Guinea... it’s the best place to represent in the world. Yeah, it is special just to beat Fiji.”