Papua New Guinea’s Kumuls are gearing up to face the Vodafone Fiji Bati in this Saturday’s Pacific Bowl showdown. Scrum-half Lachlan Lam expressed confidence in the team’s readiness during an interview in Suva, acknowledging that the Bati will have the home ground advantage and are considered the favorites for the match.
“They (Bati) are a competitive team,” stated Lam. “We’ve faced challenges in the past, but we’re eager to compete again this weekend.” The 26-year-old is the son of rugby legend Adrian Lam, a former NRL superstar known for his time with the Sydney Roosters and his representation of the Queensland Maroons in 14 State of Origin matches.
Having made his NRL debut in 2019 with the Roosters, Lachlan Lam emphasized that the primary focus for the Kumuls is to secure victory this weekend. He noted the presence of key players on the Bati team, such as star forward Viliame Kikau and premiership winner Sunia Turuva, but insisted it has no bearing on their preparations.
Lachlan will partner Kyle Laybutt in the team’s halves as they defend their title at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. “Kyle is an excellent player, and we are looking to create more opportunities for our team during the game. It will be an exciting day of rugby, and we aim to perform our best and retain the title,” said Lam.
The Kumuls are the reigning Pacific Bowl Champions and are committed to winning. Lam stated, “Our goal is to support one another both on and off the field, and we have been adapting well to the conditions here. We’re energized for the upcoming match against the Bati.”
Full-back Nene Macdonald echoed the sentiment, sharing that playing in Fiji has always been a dream come true for the team. He remarked, “It has always been a dream, but now it’s a reality.” With 16 Tests under his belt for PNG, Macdonald emphasized the importance of winning in the coming weeks to secure a spot in next year’s main Cup.
“We have faith in ourselves and believe we can achieve our goals. Everyone on the team should aspire to reach their limits, and that is our intention,” he added. Macdonald anticipates a tough yet thrilling contest this weekend, which will kick off at 8:10 PM.