Papua New Guinea Kumuls captain Kyle Laybutt is eagerly anticipating the upcoming match against their rivals, Fiji Bati, expecting it to be a challenging and thrilling encounter.
Laybutt shared his optimism about the match, highlighting that training sessions have been productive even as some team members participate in the Prime Ministers competition. He recognized the intense rivalry between the two teams, predicting a hard-fought and competitive game in Fiji.
“Training has been great so far. We are waiting for the other team members, who are competing in the Prime Ministers competition, to join us so we can finalize our game plans,” Laybutt stated.
Reflecting on his past visit to Fiji a decade ago during a holiday, Laybutt noted that this will be his first experience playing rugby there. He recalled the historical matchups between the Kumuls and the Bati, noting that while Fiji Bati won their first encounter, Papua New Guinea Kumuls triumphed in the final.
“It’s going to be a bit more hostile, and we have tremendous crowd support in PNG, so I expect the same from the Fijians as well. It’s a good rivalry, played with the utmost respect, and we can’t wait for it,” he added.
Although many team members are still busy with the Prime Ministers competition, Laybutt has been following their games and shared his thoughts on their performance. “I thought they played well, but there are a few areas we need to improve. It’s a good lead-up, and I believe they can take confidence from it. We have a core group that has been together for years, so the combinations are there; we just need to refine them this week during training and adapt to the new style under the new coach,” he said.
Under the guidance of a new coach, Laybutt emphasized the focus on a fast-paced style that aligns with their strengths. “Our new coach has NRL-level experience, so he brings that knowledge to the team. He wants us to play quickly in a way that suits us, and I’m excited to see how we perform,” he concluded.