2 weeks Ago By Joel Gould
Viliame Kikau has had a barnstormer and veteran Michael Jennings scored a hat-trick for Fiji in a comprehensive 56-6 win over Cook Islands in the Pacific Championships. The Bati are at long odds to win the Pacific Bowl after they lost to PNG last week, as they will need the Kumuls to lose to Cook Islands in Port Moresby next Sunday. Fiji did put on a show for their home fans in Suva on Saturday night with big guns Kikau and fullback Sunia Turuva outstanding.
Kikau monstered the Cook Islanders in defence in an inspired display. South Sydney's Taane Milne had one of his best ever games playing in the second row, while Dolphins young gun Kurt Donoghoe controlled the game at halfback. Cook Islands props Tepai Moeroa and Davvy Moale started on fire against their fumbling and bumbling hosts.
Hooker Rua Ngatikaura wrangled his way over to give the visitors a shock 6-0 lead. The Bati found their groove with Donoghoe decisive before Wests Tigers signing Turuva sliced over at fullback to level it up. A weaving run by Turuva from the kick-off kept the momentum going.
Jennings wound back the clock with a shimmy and a left-foot step to bamboozle the Cook Islands defence to score. Kikau unfurled a corker in traffic for Jennings to dart and weave his way over for try number two. Bati captain Tui Kamikamica was barnstorming on every run and led his side with fire and brimstone before leaving the field late in the first half for a HIA.
Turuva again got a powerhouse set going for bench prop Kitione Kautoga to barge over and give the hosts a 24-6 lead at the break. Donoghoe was having a superb match and put up a towering bomb that winger Semi Valemei leapt brilliantly to snaffle and score. The Dolphins utility was at it again with a looping pass to ignite a movement 36-year-old Jennings finished off.
Donoghoe was not finished and a slick grubber hit the posts for big prop Ben Nakubuwai to dive on. The crowd went wild when Maika Sivo scored a late double, after breaks by Donoghoe and Jennings respectively. Fiji lock Caleb Navale, just 21, announced himself as a player to watch in the future with the Manly-signed powerhouse sure to play plenty of NRL.
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