FIJI missed the semis for the first time in four World Cups in 2022 – and with a number of players unavailable, were at long odds to reverse the slide this time around.
But with Dolphin Kurt Donoghoe guiding them around McDonald Jones Stadium, the Bati only needed an hour to prove their candidacy as they raced to a 34-0 lead over Cook Islands.
Karmichael Hunt’s team scored a couple of consolation tries to stem the tide but on the evidence of the final game of the World Cup’s round one, Fiji will be no pushovers.
The Bati wasted only five minutes before troubling the scoreboard attendant for the first time when Solomone Saukuru scored.
And further four pointers followed thanks to Waqa Blake (12 min), Jacob Saifiti (28), Taane Milne (35) and Caleb Navale (37).
But the Kukis upped their game in the second half, despite losing halfback Esan Marsters to injury midway through.
However, normal service was restored when Saukuru scored his second with 11 minutes to go.
Next stop: Australia at Suncorp Stadium.
FIJI 40 (Saukuru 2 Blake Saifiti Milne Navale Kautoga tries Wakeham 6 goals) beat COOK ISLANDS 12 (Winitana-Patelesio Moale tries Winitana-Patelesio 2 goals) at McDonald Jones Stadium. Crowd: 10,064
Teams:
FIJI: Bayleigh Bentley-Hape (South Sydney); Sunia Turuva (Wests Tigers), Waqa Blake (Bradford), Solomone Saukuru (Wests Tigers), Semi Valemei (Castleford); Kurt Donoghoe (Dolphins), Brandon Wakeham (Manly); Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle), Apisai Koroisau (capt, Wests Tigers), Mitchell Prest (Mackay Cutters), Taane Milne (Huddersfield), Kitione Kautoga (Parramatta), Caleb Navale (Manly).
Reserves: Josese Lanyon (Wests Tigers), Emosi Ravosai (Warriors), Elijah Keung (South Sydney), Ronald Philitoga (North Queensland), Apenisa Driti (Northern Pride), Jordan Leiu (Norths Devils).
COOK ISLANDS: Esom Ioka (Brisbane Tigers); Paul Ulberg (Toulouse), KL Iro (capt, Cronulla), Reubenn Rennie (Toulouse), Cameron Brown (Brisbane Tigers); Maui Winitana-Patelesio (Warriors), Esan Marsters (Bradford); Davvy Moale (Melbourne), Mason Teague (Wakefield), Makahesi Makatoa (Sydney Roosters), Delahia Wigmore (Penrith), Reuben Porter (St George Illawarra), Pride Petterson-Robati (Souths Logan).
Reserves: Rua Ngatikaura (North Sydney Bears), K-CI Newton-Whare (Melbourne), Rhys Dakin (Sydney Roosters), Brad Takairangi (Glebe), Glassie Glassie (Wests Tigers), Chaev Kolone (Canberra).
Referee: Chris Kendall
