Kumuls vs. Bati: A Rivalry Rekindled in Fiji

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Papua New Guinea Kumuls captain Kyle Laybutt is eagerly anticipating their upcoming clash against the Fiji Bati, expecting a challenging and thrilling encounter. Laybutt expressed confidence in his team’s preparations, noting that training has been progressing well, despite some players being occupied with the Prime Ministers competition.

He highlighted the intense rivalry between the two teams and forecasted a competitive match in Fiji. “So far, training has been great; we are just waiting for the other team members from the Prime Ministers competition to join us so we can finalize our plans,” Laybutt stated.

Reflecting on a previous trip to Fiji a decade ago, he mentioned that this would be his debut playing rugby in the country. Laybutt recalled the historical context of matches between the Kumuls and the Bati, acknowledging that while Fiji Bati won the first encounter, the Papua New Guinea Kumuls triumphed in the final.

“It’s going to be quite hostile. We have massive crowd support back home, and I’m expecting the same from the Fijians,” he said. “This is a great rivalry, played with mutual respect, and we are all looking forward to it.”

Although many team members are still engaged in the Prime Ministers competition, Laybutt has been following their matches and shared his impressions of their performance. “I thought they played well; there are a few areas we need to address, but overall it’s a good build-up, and I believe they can draw some confidence from it. We have a solid core group that has been together for a few years, so the chemistry is there; we just need to refine it during training,” he noted.

Under the guidance of a new coach, Laybutt mentioned the team’s focus on a fast-paced style that leverages their strengths. “Our new coach is knowledgeable, having experience at the NRL level, and he wants us to play a fast game that suits us. I’m excited to see how we perform,” he concluded.

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