LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a stunning upset which rocked the rugby league world, Papua New Guinea unleashed their fury upon heavy favorites Fiji Bagti in a thrilling clash at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The Cowboys' young gun, Robert Derby, put on a display of pure skill and determination, racking up a whopping 273 run metres along with four tackle busts, a linebreak, a try assist, and a try.
It was a performance that left fans speechless and had the opposition scrambling to catch their breath.
Adding to the spectacle was former Dragon, Nene Macdonald, who dazzled the crowd with his 233 run metres, 10 tackle busts, four offloads, two linebreaks, a linebreak assist, a try assist, and a try of his own.
The duo's combination on the field was nothing short of magical and left the Fiji team reeling.
Despite a spirited pre-match war cry from the Bati and a teary-eyed Maika Sivo during the anthems, Fiji's performance on the field was lackluster.
Their halves struggled with crucial last tackle decisions, while Viliame Kikau's two intercept passes gifted Derby with the opportunity to shine even brighter.
In a clash that will go down in rugby league history, Papua New Guinea emerged victorious, leaving Fiji stunned and their fans in awe.
The underdogs had risen to the occasion and delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come.