SAINTS centre Kevin Naiqama skippered Fiji to a top tier place for next year's international rugby league series after a tense 22-20 win over Papua New Guinea to clinch the Oceania Cup in Christchurch on Saturday night.

Fiji Bati, who defeated Samoa 44-18 last week, found the Kumuls stubborn opponents in a see-saw clash at Orangetheory Stadium.

It meant Naiqama could lift another trophy at the end of a season in which he has won League Leaders and Super League with Saints.

He is also on the shortlist for Golden Boot voting.