Fiji Bulikulas head coach and captain have praised the PNG Orchids’ ferocious physicality and spirited first-half performance, despite Fiji walking away with a clinical 40–4 victory in yesterday's World Cup clash at the Santos National Football Stadium.

The Fiji head coach described the opening stanza as a grueling, end-to-end battle, noting that the Orchids matched his side's intensity through the middle before the visitors eventually broke away in the second half.

“Papua New Guinea were unbelievable today, particularly in the first half. It was an end-to-end game. It was very physical, and both forward packs really went at it,” the coach remarked.

Fiji's tactical adjustments at the interval proved decisive. Satisfied with their first-half defensive resolve but wary of loose moments around the ruck, the coaching staff instructed the side to shift their focus wider.

“We talked about being smart. We wanted to move the ball away from the middle of the field and give ourselves the best opportunities on the edges,” the coach explained.

The strategy paid off immediately as Fiji stretched the Orchids' tight defensive line, executing clean edge plays and building continuous pressure across the park.

The victory required adaptability from the Bulikulas, who had to reshuffle their kicking duties mid-game after an injury left one of their main kickers with a severe cork. The coach credited his squad's depth, noting they were fortunate to have multiple experienced players step up seamlessly to manage the game's kicking requirements.

Beyond the baseline scoreline, the Fiji leadership group emphasized that the fixture was a historic occasion, highlighted by the extraordinary hospitality and passionate reception they received in rugby league-mad Papua New Guinea.

The Bulikulas captain stated that the sheer warmth of the local community—from packed training sessions to the buzzing atmosphere outside the venue—made the tour unforgettable.

“Seeing the kids and the smiles on their faces, you can’t get that anywhere else,” the captain said.

She added that playing in front of a packed, vocal Port Moresby crowd was a career-highlight experience. For the visitors, the match perfectly showcased rugby league's unique cultural status in PNG, proving that the occasion meant much more than the points on the ladder.

The captain also extended her gratitude to the host organizers, highly praising the world-class accommodation, training facilities, and meals provided to the traveling squad throughout their stay.

While the clinical victory injects massive confidence into the Bulikulas' World Cup campaign, their post-match reflections serve as a strong validation of the Orchids' rising competitiveness on the international stage.