Papua New Guinea v Fiji betting tips & best odds – June 25, 2022

The Test match triple-header this Saturday will conclude with the 13th clash between the Fiji Bati and the Kumuls of Papua New Guinea.

There will be a dozen NRL stars on show when the two teams take the field, and the clash of styles and philosophies could make this game an absolute cracker.

Papua New Guinea improved dramatically in the years before the coronavirus pandemic to the point where they defeated a touring Great Britain team at full strength in Port Moresby. It was the finest hour in the history of rugby league in PNG and it will put expectation on them for this game.

South Sydney star Alex Johnston will line up at fullback for the Kumuls and he will be the key man in the backline if they are to cause an upset. Justin Olam might be their best strike weapon, but how Johnston can get his outside men involved will determine if PNG can do more than just bash Fiji into submission.

The Kumuls typically have an unforgiving style of play which forces their opposition to get in the trenches and wear plenty of bruises, but there will be a time where some finesse is required.

The line is currently +10.5 and that might be good value with unseasonably warm weather forecast for Saturday evening. It will make the PNG-based players feel right at home and they’ll compete right to the end.

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Olam at $2.90 to score a try is terrific value to place in any same-game multi, and he is certainly worth some cabbage at $16 to score the first of the match.

While PNG love the physicality, Fiji play the game with a sense of freedom that is delightful to watch. Most footy fans would have seen them last play in a 58-14 thumping of Lebanon at Leichhardt Oval in the 2019 version of Representative Round, and it is most likely one of the big factors in their short price at $1.28 with online bookmakers.

Their backline has speed and power to burn with NRL stars Mikaele Ravalawa, Maika Sivo, Semi Valemai and Waqa Blake all named to start for the Bati. Sivo is the $7.50 favourite to score the first try of the match in what will be his third game back from a knee reconstruction.

The best player on the field will be in the Fijian forward pack with Viliame Kikau set to take his place out on the left edge, and you can guarantee he will be the dominant presence on that side of the field. It feels like a fait accompli that he will score a try on the day given his excellent track record in Test football for his beloved Fiji.

That backline should be enough to get them across the line in a torrid contest, but Kevin Naiqama playing out of position with an inexperienced halfback leaves some doubt about if they will get the quality ball they should.

For that reason, Fiji feel a little short in the head-to-head market, but there could be some good value at $2.95 in the 1-12 margin market.

Key matchup: Viliame Kikau vs Nixon Putt

Nixon Putt has six previous Test appearances for Fiji and more than 90 games in the Queensland Cup competition. He is averaging 140 metres per game for the Central Capras in 2022 and he will be the man tasked with trying to slow down Viliame Kikau. Putt has to lead the way in the forwards for PNG.

PNG vs Fiji betting predictions

Fiji win in a close game at the 1-12 margin in what might be a bit of a surprising result. The Bati have all the strike they need out wide; the query is whether there is enough inside them to make it all happen.

PNG vs Fiji same-game multi tips

Fiji 1-12 with Viliame Kikau, Justin Olam and Mikaele Ravalawa all scoring tries pays a sensational $33 on Ladbrokes.

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