MAIKA Sivo returns to the Vodafone Fiji Bati lineup for their match against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls in the Oceania Cup Test at Christchurch Stadium in New Zealand on Saturday.
The Parramatta Eels star is back on the wing after he was suspended for last week’s win over Samoa moving Isaac Lumelume to the bench.
The Kumuls have make seven changes from the team that lost to Toa Samoa 24-6 earlier this year including Rabbitohs star Alex Johnston lining up at fullback, Justin Olam in at centre, Watson Boas into the halves and the return of veteran Stargroth Amean on the bench.
Viliame Kikau, who got a double in last week’s 44- 18 win over Samoa, will be the key player again this weekend where the Bati are expected to continue from last weeks performance.
Head coach Brandon Costin has kept his players humble ahead of their clash with their Pacific neighbours.
“I have to keep our players humble after the big win and concentrate on a very tough Kumuls team who have won the past two matches between our nations,” Costin said.
The Kumuls beat the Bati in their past two outings 24-22 in 2016 and 26-14 in 2018.
The Vodafone Bati will take on the PNG Kumuls at 5.20pm at Christchurch Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand on Saturday.
Vodafone Fiji Bati lineup: 1.Siti Moceidreke 2.Maika Sivo 3.Taane Milne 4.Brayden Williame 5.Suliasi Vunivalu 6.Kevin Naiqama 7.Brandon Wakeham 8.Kane Evans 9.Joe Lovodua 10.Tui Kamikamica 11.Viliame Kikau 12.Ben Nakubuwai 13.D’Rhys Miller 14.Lamar Liolevave 15.Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu 16.King Vuniyayawa 17.King Vuniyayawa 18.Penioni Tagituimua 19.Isaac Lumelume
PNG Kumuls lineup: 1.Alex Johnson 2.Edene Gebbie 3.Dan Russell 4.Justin Olam 5.Terry Wapi 6.Kyle Laybutt 7.Watson Boas 8.Wellington Albert 9.Wartovo Puara 10.Luke Page 11.Nixon Putt 12.Rhyse Martin 13.Moses Meninga 14.Edwin Ipape 15.Stanton Albert 16.Enock Maki 17.Stargroth Amean 18. Garry Lo 19.Stanford Talita 20. David Mead.
