A try-scoring double by Melbourne’s Marika Koroibete has helped Fiji overcome a brave Papua New Guinea 22-10 in an historic rugby league Test on the Gold Coast.
In their first official Test against each other, Fiji lived up to their runaway favourites tag by cruising to a 18-0 halftime lead thanks to Koroibete’s heroics.
However, PNG – boasting just two NRL players to Fiji’s nine – hit back hard after the break.
Matt Trnka finally got PNG on the board in the 53rd minute when Kato Ottio somehow offloaded off the ground for the winger to score.
PNG man mountain Stanton Albert failed to hold onto a pass when over the line in the 60th – but eight minutes later more than amends.
In a remarkable 10m run, Albert bulldozed over three defenders before receiving the green light from the video referee to make it 18-10.
However, world No.6 Fiji weren’t to be denied in their first meeting with world No.11 PNG since their unofficial two match series in 2011.
Fiji centre Fabian Goodall iced the result when he intercepted an errant pass by PNG fullback Josh Damen to race 60m and score.
Fiji were always going to be a handful against a plucky PNG after making the semi-finals at the last two World Cups.
Despite losing a host of eligible players to City-Country, Fiji still boasted a healthy NRL contingent including Wests Tigers’ Kevin Naiqama and Newcastle forward Korbin Sims.
PNG featured just Ray Thompson (North Queensland) and Nene MacDonald (Sydney Roosters) from the NRL.
PNG had hoped to end a dire trot since their last Test victory at the 2009 Pacific Cup.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Fiji played great in the first half but faded in the 2nd and the Kumuls were very competitive especially considering their lack of NRL experience. Was a very entertaining game and I hope they continues these tests in the years to come as the Samoa v Tonga game was also a good game.
Rabbits
Guest
Fiji, with nine NRL first graders won by 12 points against a team that only had two. I think Fiji had the fire power out wide to put some more points on but you have to hand it to the Kumuls for coming back strongly. The Tonga-Samoa game was much tighter owing to fact that both teams had an equal number of NRL-based talent on show. it is what it is. The big plus for me was the sight of the fans cheering on their men with gusto. There is a place for the Pacific islands teams on the annual calendar - the NRL and the IRLF just have to work something out.
Luke powell
Guest
2016 rep weekend Italy vs Serbia, Lebanon vs Malta, heritage players capped at 12. SFS fully televised and promoted, profits returned to help the game in these country's
Luke powell
Guest
Might be an idea to help other emerging nations on next years rep weekend, double header in Sydney Lebanon vs Italy, Serbia vs Greece. Cap the amount of heritage players at 10 or 12. Return part of the profits from TV and what think would draw a decent crowd at the SFS back to help develop the game in these country's