Cook Islands Aitu put up a valiant fight in their Pacific Bowl Round 3 match against Papua New Guinea’s Kumuls, but ultimately fell short, losing 42-20 in front of a passionate home crowd in PNG in the weekend.

 The Aitu team showcased resilience and skill, especially during the first half, where they established a strong lead and demonstrated their capabilities on the international stage.

From the opening whistle, Aitu were determined to make an impact. Their energy and strategic play allowed them to gain an early advantage, pushing past the formidable Kumuls' defense.

Key players Davy Moale, Steven Marsters, and Esom Loka were instrumental in breaking through with well-coordinated attacking runs and tactical ball-handling.

Steven Marsters, whose accuracy was impeccable, converted all three of his attempts and added a penalty goal to secure a 14-4 lead midway through the first half.

The first half saw Aitu controlling the tempo, playing with precision and confidence.

The combination of crisp passes, smart offloads, and aggressive forward movements highlighted their game plan.

PNG Kumuls, however, found their rhythm late in the first half, with a rallying effort led by the dynamic duo Lachlan Lam and Nene Macdonald.

Their quick, elusive runs and well-executed set plays shifted momentum in favour of the home team. As the clock ticked down to halftime, the Kumuls capitalised on Aitu's minor defensive lapses, overtaking the lead at 16-14.

The second half showcased a different side of the Kumuls, who returned to the field with renewed intensity. Their defensive strategies tightened, putting relentless pressure on the Aitu attack. PNG’s ability to force turnovers and create unforced errors from the Cook Islands reflected their strategic adjustments.

Lam and Macdonald continued to spearhead the Kumuls’ efforts, making significant yardage gains and creating scoring opportunities through quick, sharp plays that kept the Aitu on their back foot.

As PNG extended their lead, the Aitu struggled to regain the control they displayed in the first half. Despite the score line, the Cook Islands showed remarkable determination, attempting to fight back with strong carries and defensive stands.

However, the relentless Kumuls were unyielding, capitalizing on every scoring chance. Their tactical kicking game and structured sets widened the gap and secured their victory.

The match was significant for the Aitu in other ways as well. Cousins Esan and Steven Marsters celebrated their 10th international test caps for the Cook Islands, a tribute to their devotion and contributions to the team.

Coach Karmichael Hunt shared his thoughts after the game, reflecting on both the positives and the path forward.

"Our focus heading into the 2026 World Cup qualifiers next year and these outings against Fiji and PNG is a great start for us—not the results we expected; however, we went into the workshop and had a look at what our journey for the 2026 World Cup looks like, and with this, it looks like we are off to a good start. Super proud of the boys—we had several new debutants, and we wanted to be inspired by their actions, and today they did that."

The final score of 42-20 was a demonstration to the Kumuls’ powerful second-half surge, which sealed their Pacific Bowl championship. This victory grants PNG a shot at moving up to the Tier 1 division in the 2025 Pacific Championships Cup, where they will face New Zealand in a crucial promotion-relegation match next Sunday.