Kumuls outclass Bati to retain Pacific Bowl Championship title

The Papua New Guinea Kumuls outmuscled the Fiji Bati with a 50-18 scoreline in the Pacific Bowl Championship decider on Saturday, 1st November 2025, at a packed Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

When the Pacific Championship was introduced in 2023, the Kumuls immediately made their presence known and were crowned the inaugural Bowl Champions. They defended the title last year and made it three in a row this year. 

As the reigning champions, PNG used their experience and ran rings around the hapless Fiji Bati, scoring five unanswered tries and putting themselves on the front foot. However, Bati registered a try before half-time and trailed by 24 points (30-6). 

The visitors upped their tempo in the second half and scored first, reducing the deficit to 30-10. The Kumuls hit back with two tries, increasing their lead to 42-10. Under 10 minutes of play before full-time, the hosts scored again, and the Bati responded with a consolation try. 

Edwin Ipape’s craftsmanship around the ruck tore the Bati’s defense to shreds and left them gasping for air as the Kumuls ran riot and smashed the Fijians in front of the passionate home crowd, with the crafty rake walking away with the man of the match honors. 

Captain Rhyse Martin was perfect with the kicking duties, nailing 9/9 conversions and scoring a try, while Morea Morea Jnr, Edwin Ipape, Cooper Bai, Nixon Putt, Nene McDonald, Dudley Dotoi, and Robert Mathias scored a try each. 

Coach Jason Demetriou was impressed with the dominant victory, praising the players for rising to the occasion and stamping their authority, and retained the Bowl title for a third consecutive year (2023-2025). 

“It was a different energy this week. We knew that we needed to be better than we were last week. I thought a couple of guys who came in did a good job for us. It’s been a good squad effort,” Demetriou said.

The Kumuls’ mentor credited the rookies Cooper Bai, Gairo Voro, and Finley Glare, who played exceptionally well in the two Test matches, and also applauded the senior players for providing good leadership on the field.  

Skipper Rhyse Martin echoed the similar sentiments shared by coach Demetriou, saying: “I am proud that we got a good win. We were much better than last week. To end the game with 50 points is fitting for the country. It’s something that everyone should celebrate.”  

With a three-peat success as the ultimate ‘Kings’ of the Bowl category, the PNG Kumuls now shift their focus to the World Cup next year, which will be co-hosted by Australia and PNG, respectively.