PAPUA New Guinea gave Fiji an early scare and gave them a run for their money despite going down 31-12 at the final whistle at the ANZ National Stadium in Suva.

PNG led at half-time 12-5 with some scintillating pieces of play that saw the Olympic Games champions rattled and unsettled.

However, PNG were let down by their inability to regather the ball during kick-off which was a critical area where the Fijians excelled.

As the match progressed into the second-half with Fiji gaining momentum and reversed the stranglehold PNG had on them and ran away with 26 unanswered points.

What seemed to be have been a blockade at the first were bursted open as the free-flow Fijian style of rugby began to materialise resulting in tries to Waisea Nacuqu, Risiate Tadulala, Seuloni Tawake, Kalione Nasoko and Kitione Taliga.

PNG coach Dougie Guise was disappointed.

“I thought our defence was really good and connected really well putting a lot of pressure for the Fiji Team, but it’s something our young team can work on and get something out of it,” Guise said.

He said their young players had learned a lot from playing against one of the top teams in the world.