The Fiji Bati have started their Rugby League World Cup with a strong win, 40-12 over the Cook Islands.
The Bati scored seven tries to the Aitu’s two.
The Fiji Bati sung ‘This is my Prayer’ (Oqo na noqu masu) in response to Cook Islands’ pre-game challenge and went on to a powerful win in the teams’ pool clash in Newcastle.
Cook Islands, led by captain KL Iro, laid down the challenge after the national anthems, walking up to the Bati team as they lined up at halfway.
Api Korosau led Fiji Bati in singing their response at halfway.
On the field they managed to rake up seven tries, with Solomone Saukuru finishing with two.
It took the Bati just six minutes to get over the Cook Islands’ line and score the first points of the game, with Solomone Saukuru powering over at the left corner, following a flat pass from Kurt Donoghoe.
Playmaker Brandon Wakeham slotted the ball in between the uprights to send the Fijians into the lead with six points.
Then it was Waqa Blake who beat the drifting Cook Islands’ defensive line on the right, before a Wakeham bomb saw forward Jacob Saifiti climb high, collect the ball and reached over the line to plant the ball down for his try in the 29th minute.
Taane Milne and Caleb Navale got their names also on the scoresheet, as Fiji led 28-0 at halftime.
Cook Islands had their moments too in the first half, with Esan Masters directing their play.
He also pinned the Fijians on their tryline with two long restarts that forced the Bati to kick off their line twice in the first half.
Mason Teague, Makahesi Makatoa, Delahia Wigmore, Reuben Porter, and Pride Petterson-Robati tried their best to win territory and create chances against the Fijians.
But the Fiji Bati defense stood their ground and responded with their own attacks.
Safiti, Navale, Milne, Kitione Kautoga, Blake, Sunia Turuva and captain Koroisau kept the Bati running forward.
Kitione Kautoga got the Bati on the board again as the second spell started, going over nine minutes after the restart.
However, Cook Islands managed to get some good momentum in the second half and got two tries over Fiji’s line.
Maui Winitana-Patelesio and Davvy Moale got two tries for the Cooks midway through the second half.
Winitana-Patelesio sidestepped his way to the tryline to score in front. He converted his own try, closing the gap to 34-6.
Six minutes later Moale ran on to a short pass to crash over. Patelesio converted, with the Cook Islands closing the gap to 34-12.
But with 10 minutes to go 21-year-old Saukuru went over for his second try when he ran on to a short pass from Donoghoe, with the Bati taking control again on the scoreboard. Wakeham pushed Fiji to 40-12 with his additional two points.
Cook Islands made a late push, playing deep in the Fiji Bati red zone but just could not get any more points.
Fiji skipper Koroisau said they knew Cook Islands would be tough and it was a good win as they kicked off their campaign in the pool of death, Pool A.
“We knew what we had to do today and we did that,” he said.
“It was a great effort by the boys.
“We executed in that first half and it was a great win and pretty proud of how the boys turned up.”
Koroisau said their next clash against world champs Australia will be a tougher match but they will go out to do their best.
“They are at the top of the food chain for a reason and we will go out there and put everything on the field.”
Cook Islands captain KL Iro said Fiji was the better team on the day.
“Feels so good to see the fans come out to support us, we are sorry we can’t put on a better performance for you guys,” he said.
“Fiji were the better team today. They came out harder than we did, unfortunately that’s how rugby league is sometimes.
“Very thankful to the family and aways proud to put this jersey on.”
Look back at all the action with RNZ’s live blog below:
