Devo Babas successfully defended the men’s cup of the 2026 Sports Tok Niu Power KMHL 7s with a clinical 22-12 victory over hosts PC Ravens in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea last weekend, head coach Viliame Ratute confirmed from PNG. The win cements the Babas’ hold on the title after their debut campaign last year and underlined the side’s growing standing in the Pacific sevens scene.
Ratute said the tournament this year posed a far sterner test than when the Babas first competed. “It was easy for us last year, but this time the level of competition has really lifted. The way the local teams play rugby has improved, and we felt that in our matches,” he told Times Sport. Despite the tougher opposition, Ratute said his side executed their game plan with precision across the weekend to reclaim the cup.
The Babas’ run to the final was made more impressive by a depleted squad. Two players suffered injuries in earlier matches, leaving the team with only nine available for the remainder of the tournament. Ratute praised his players’ resilience and discipline, noting the limited bench tested the group’s fitness and composure but did not prevent them delivering in the decider.
For several squad members, the KMHL 7s was their first taste of international rugby and, Ratute said, an important learning experience. “The tournament also served as an eye‑opener for several players who were experiencing international rugby for the first time,” he said, adding that keeping the team mentally focused was a key challenge across the event. He recounted a team devotion on Sunday morning — which coincided with Resurrection Sunday in Fiji — telling players their talents were “God‑given” and urging them to use the blessing well before they took the field.
Ratute also paid tribute to PC Ravens, who he described as “a strong side and former back‑to‑back champions.” The 22-12 scoreline reflected a competitive final between two well‑matched teams, with the Babas ultimately doing enough to secure victory and the title defense on foreign soil.
With the tournament concluded, Ratute assured families back home that the team remained safe in PNG and confirmed the Babas are due to return to Fiji on Sunday. The successful defence will give the squad momentum, while the tougher competition in Port Moresby appears to have offered valuable experience for younger players as the team prepares for the next phase of their campaign.
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