By defeating Cook Islands 56-6 on Saturday night and scoring 10 tries in a thrilling victory at home, Fiji maintained their hopes of being promoted to the Pacific Cup.
With Rabbitohs second-rower dominating up front with a 230-meter haul and experienced centre Michael Jennings scoring three tries, the Bati were in must-win situation after losing to Papua New Guinea in Week 1 of the competition.
However, they still depend on the Cook Islands defeating the Kumuls the next week in order to finish first in the Bowl and earn a spot in the promotion-relegation play-offs against the third-ranked team from the Cup section.
Fiji was in the box seat after a four-try first half that placed them ahead 24-6. They continued to dominate, making six more four-pointers to win easily at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Even though the Cook Islands scored first thanks to a dashing Rua Ngatikaura, their happiness for the evening would come to an end.
After Milne’s conversion, Sunia Turuva carried several defenders over the line for a try two minutes after the first to equalise the score. Jennings then scored a double in eight minutes to turn the tide of the match in his team’s favour.
Before he received a Viliame Kikau offload and soared over for another, he first used some footwork to create a gap that was just large enough for him to scoot through up close.
When he forced a charging Caleb Navale to make a mistake, Esan Marsters stopped another probable four-pointer, but it only postponed the inevitable. Milne broke the line two minutes later, and on the subsequent play, Kitione Kautoga crossed.
Nine minutes into the second period, Esom Ioka came dangerously near to regaining the lead, but the Bunker stopped him. A moment later, Semi Valemei claimed a towering bomb and went over unharmed, adding salt to the wound.
Kurt Donoghoe’s grubber smashed into the goal post pad and into the hands of a thankful Ben Nakubuwai for Fiji’s seventh try, but Jennings’ third try on the hour mark, which tied him for the most tries in a Test by a Fijian player, blasted the scoreboard out to 34-6.
After evading Tepai Moeroa’s determined pursuit to cross in the corner, Maika Sivo doubled up minutes later to catch a Jennings offload and score his tenth try in the last eight Test matches.
Then it was Valemei’s turn to deliver his own double, with his goal in the 75th minute following yet another brilliant move from Milne.
With their significant victory, Fiji will now be a concerned spectator at the PNG vs. Cook Islands match in Port Moresby on Sunday. A Cook Islands victory of any kind will guarantee them a spot in the promotion-relegation match.
Snapshot of the Match
With the win, Fiji is still in the running for the Pacific Bowl and a spot in the 2025 Pacific Cup. In Week 3, they must now defeat Papua New Guinea in the Cook Islands.
With his double, Fijian winger Maika Sivo has now scored 10 tries in his last eight Test matches.
At night, the Bati outran the Cook Islands by more than 800 meters.
With a total of 29 mistakes made over the 80 minutes of play, the match had a high error rate.
Cook Islands are currently on a five-match losing streak after being outscored 106-34 in their last three Test matches.
In addition to his three offloads and seven conversions, Taane Milne finished the game with 230 meters.
In the second half, Delahia Wigmore was reported for a violent tackle.
The game’s play
For quite different reasons, it was an attempt that encapsulated the game for both teams. When Semi Valemei hit the ground after climbing high to claim a bomb, the Cook Islands had no chance. It was only one instance of how the Bati’s exceptional athleticism was the deciding factor in Suva.
