Debutant Maui Winitana-Patelesio starred for the Cook Islands, scoring a try and kicking two conversions against Fiji on Saturday night. CIRL/26101842
Despite demonstrating resilience under heavy pressure, the Cook Islands lost 12-40 to a dominant Fiji side in their Rugby League World Cup opener, though late tries brought them second-half joy.
A first-half blitz led by Brandon Wakeham and Apisau Koroisau on the back of a destructive forward pack helped Fiji romp to a 40-12 win in their World Cup opener against Cook Islands on Saturday night in Newcastle.
Wakeham had three try assists, two line breaks and four tackle breaks to go alongside his astute kicking game and six goals off the tee, while Koroisau was at his instrumental best from dummy half.
The Bati were on song from the opening stages, scoring two tries in the opening 12 minutes as the starting middles dominated through the ruck and created second phase play to further stretch the Aitu defence.
Cook Islands settled into the game and demonstrated their resilience despite a mountain of possession for Fiji, but couldn’t take advantage of their attacking opportunities.
The Aitu simply couldn’t find a way through in the attacking zone and struggled to get boot to ball on last tackle under the pressure of the Bati defence.
A mid-half lull in scoring came to an end in the 28th minute with a first Test try to Jacob Saifiti, who was first to an aerial contest and leapt high to take the ball over Cook Islands fullback Esom Ioka before reaching out to plant the ball under the posts.
Worse was to come for Cook Islands as Taane Milne burrowed over from dummy half five minutes from half-time, before Caleb Navale burst through off a Brandon Wakeham short ball and ran 40m on his passage to the corner.
The 28-0 lead for Fiji was a symbol of their dominance enjoying a 62 per cent share of possession as Cook Islands counted their completed sets on two hands.
Fiji continued with the points in the second half as Kitione Kautoga added his name to the score sheet, before the Aitu had some joy when a show-and-go from debutant Maui Winitana-Patelesio had the five-eighth crashing over under the posts.
It sparked energy into the Cook Islands and they went back-to-back when interchange hooker Rua Ngatikaura found Davvy Moale with a short ball, allowing him to crash over.
The Bati quickly ended any thought of a Cook Islands comeback when centre Solomone Saukuru flew through the line a second time off a Kurt Donoghoe short ball to put the result beyond doubt with 10 minutes remaining.
After the match, 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,” Iro 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.”
Both Pool A sides have tough asks in the next round, as Fiji prepare to take on the Kangaroos and Cook Islands face New Zealand.
- NRL.com/RNZ Pacific