FIJI 40 COOK ISLANDS 12
JOHN DAVIDSON, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, Sunday

FIJI have opened their World Cup campaign with a strong statement, running in seven tries to cook the Cook Islands.

Brandon Wakeham kicked six goals and the Bati had six different try-scorers as they outclassed their Pacific neighbours in Newcastle.

Fiji raced to a dominant 28-0 first half lead and then piled on another two tries, as the Kukis rallied late to add some respectability.

A knock-on from Semi Valemei gave the Cook Islands an early chance to attack, but the Kukis couldn’t take advantage and it was the Bati who struck first.

Solomone Saukuru ran a great line on the left edge and barged his way over in the sixth minute.

The Cook Islands kept dropping the ball, giving their opponents possession right on their tryline.

It didn’t take long for Fiji to profit again, a quick shift to the right ending with Waqa Blake touching down easily.

A penalty helped slow down the Bati’s momentum, along with a series of errors. With little flow to the game, Fiji’s hands were letting them down and at times they pushed passes.

The Cook Islands started to build some pressure, but couldn’t get to a fifth-tackle kick.

In the 24th minute Api Korosiau hooked the ball into touch, giving their opponents more field position, but the Kukis couldn’t do much with it either, in what was becoming a low-standard match.

Jacob Saifiti brilliantly broke that period of deadlock in the 29th minute when he leapt and grabbed the ball from the heavens to score.

With four minutes left in the half they grabbed their fourth try when Taane Milne crashed over. The effort was referred to the video referee, who gave the green light.

In the next set Wakeham put Caleb Navale through a hole and the back-rower raced away to score, and at 28-0 the contest was as good as done at half-time.

In the second half it took seven minutes for the Bati to register their sixth try as Kitone Kautoga broke through a tackle to get the ball down.

The Cook Islands struggled to make metres against their bigger and stronger opponents, but finally in the 60th minute they got their rewards with their first try.

In a brilliant bit of solo play, stand-off Maui Winitana-Patelesio stepped through the middle and showed some fancy footwork to get the ball down.

It was as good as any try as you will see at this World Cup and there was more to come from the Kukis, with Davvy Moale crashing over off a short ball.

Winitana-Patelesio converted both tries to cut the lead to 34-12.

Saukuru had the final say though, grabbing his second try to confirm the big Fijian win.

GAMESTAR: Solomone Saukuru showed pace and smarts to grab a brace.

GAMEBREAKER: Kurt Donoghoe had some nice touches and finished with several try assists.

MATCHFACTS

FIJI
1 Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
2 Sunia Turuva
3 Waqa Blake
4 Solomone Saukuru
5 Semi Valemei
6 Kurt Donoghoe
7 Brandon Wakeham
8 Jacob Saifiti
9 Api Koroisau
10 Mitchell Prest
11 Taane Milne
12 Kitone Kautoga
13 Caleb Navale
Subs
14 Josese Lanyon
15 Emoisi Ravosai
16 Elijah Keung
17 Ronald Philitoga (not used)
18 Apenisa Driti (not used)
19 Jordin Leiu

Tries: Saukuru (6, 70), Blake (13), Saifiti (29), Milne (34), Navale (37), Kautoga (47)
Goals: Wakeman 6/7

COOK ISLANDS
1 Esom Ioka
2 Paul Ulberg
3 KL Iro
4 Reubenn Rennie
5 Cameron Brown
6 Maui Winitana-Patelesio
7 Esan Marsters
8 Davvy Moale
9 Mason Teague
10 Makahesi Makatoa
11 Reuben Porter
12 Delahia Wigmore
13 Pride Petterson-Robati
Subs
14 Rua Ngatikaura
15 K-Ci Newton-Whare
16 Rhys Dakin (not used)
17 Brad Takairangi
18 Glassie Glassie (not used)
19 Chaev Kolone

Tries: Winitana-Patelesio (60), Moale (64)
Goals: Winitana-Patelesio 2/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 24-0, 28-0; 34-0, 34-6, 34-12, 40-12

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Man of the Match
Fiji: Solomone Saukuru; Cook Islands: Maui Winitana-Patelesio

Penalty count: 4-5
Half-time: 28-0
Referee: Chris Kendall
Attendance: 10,604