Pacific Championships 2023: PNG Kumuls v Fiji Bati, result, Maika Sivo, teams, video, stats, match report, Edwin Ipape

Fiji have produced their biggest ever win over Papua New Guinea with 43-16 victory in a try-fest that left the Port Moresby crowd shell-shocked.

Kumuls speedster Alex Johnston cut through Fiji’s defence on the left edge and sliced his way over to score the opener in just the second minute.

“The great Magic Johnston, the man who scores all those tries in the NRL and here he is scoring for PNG,” Andrew Voss said on Fox League.

But it was all Fiji from there and they first crossed when Jahream Bula put a grubber in beat both wingers and Kurt Donoghoe raced through to score in the 12th minute.

The visitors made it two in a row when skipper Tui Kamikamica crashed over next to the posts in the 18th minute.

“They are running like their lives depend on it, every hit, every play, they are coming off the back fence the Fijians,” Voss said.

Kumuls forward Keven Appo was put on report and binned in the 27th minute for his role in a lifting tackle.

Donoghoe then bagged his double after touching the ball three times in a sensational team try in the 33rd minute.

“That is a slashing try from Fiji, far more than just run hard, that was skill personified,” Voss said.

Brandon Wakeham slotted a field goal on the stroke of halftime and Fijians picked up where they left off in the second half.

Maika Sivo scored a quick-fire double after a barnstorming run down the left wing in the 46th minute was followed moments later with an 85-metre intercept try.

Bati lock Caleb Navale was the next man in on the act when he crashed over in the 55th minute before PNG finally stopped the bleeding.

Benji Kot pulled one back in his first international of the year but the comeback was short lived as Fiji star Jason Qareqare breezed through some lazy defence in the 64th minute.

“Rugby league is the national sport of PNG but their love is being tested today,” Voss said.

Epel Kapinias gave the home crowd something to cheer about with a late consolation try but it was far too little, too late.