Team news: Fiji v Papua New Guinea (Sat)
NRL top try scorer Maika Sivo will return for Fiji’s test against Papua New Guinea on Saturday.
Brandon Costin has made one change to his Fiji Bati side that defeated Samoa last week. Parramatta Eels star Sivo comes in for Isaac Lumelume on the wing.
Papua New Guinea coach Michael Marum has made seven changes to his Kumuls outfit that lost to Samoa in the mid-season test. Alex Johnston, Dan Russell, Justin Olam, Wellington Albert, Watson Boas, Wartovo Puara and Stargroth Amean come in to the squad.
Brandon Nima, James Segeyaro, Junior Rau, Kurt Baptiste, Radley Brawa, Xavier Coates and Zev John drop out for the Kumuls.
The test match acts as a curtain-raiser to the New Zealand-Great Britain clash at the Christchurch Stadium on Saturday, 4:20am kick-off (GMT).
Fiji: Moceidreke; Sivo, Milne, Wiliame, Vunivalu; Naiqama, Wakeham; Evans, Lovodua, Kamikamica, Kikau, Nakubuwai, Miller. Subs: Liolevave, Ratuvakacereivalu, Vuniyayawa, Tagituimua. Reserves: Lumelume.
Papua New Guinea: Johnston; Gebbie, Russell, Olam, Wapi; Laybutt, W Boas; W Albert, Puara, Page, Putt, Martin, Meninga. Subs: Ipape, S Albert, Maki, Amean. Reserves: Lo, Talita, Mead.
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