The Bati are sure to be smarting after a first-up loss to the Kumuls but they get a chance to redeem themselves in front of the Suva faithful on Saturday against Cook Islands.
When these two sides met in last year's Pacific Championships it was Fiji getting home 22-18 in a thriller on the back of a monster game from fullback Jahream Bula, while Taane Milne also played a key role.
Shoulder surgery has kept Bula out of this year's tournament but Milne clocked up 203 metres against the Kumuls and will again be relied upon for plenty of tough carries.
Coached by Karmichael Hunt, the Cook Islands have plenty of experience across the park with skipper Brad Takairangi, Zane Tetevano, Esan Marsters and Tepai Moeroa, while young Dolphin Mason Teague makes his Test debut.
Another tough forward battle is guaranteed but it's the team whose halves can kick best and control field position that will come away with the vital two points.
Match: Fiji Bati v Cook Islands Aitu
Week 2 -
home Team
Fiji Bati
2nd Position
away Team
Cook Islands Aitu
Venue: HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Fiji Bati: One change in the forwards after the loss to the Kumuls with Wests Tigers James Valevatu coming in at hooker and Penioni Tagituimua dropping back to the bench. Kylan Mafoa has been promoted from 18th man to the bench. Joe Lovodua and Nathan Kegg-King are the two men relegated from the bench to the reserves. Canterbury youngster Ratu Rinakama is the new 18th man.
Cook Islands Aitu: Veteran Brad Takairangi will call the shots in the halves alongside another experienced campaigner in Esan Marsters, who plays his ninth Test for Cook Islands to go with the six he played for New Zealand. Melbourne's Tepai Moeroa and Rabbitohs younster Davvy Moale are the props while Aitu stalwart Zane Tetevano lines up at lock. Dolphins utility Mason Teague makes his Test debut on the bench alongside Junior Teroi (Bulimba Valley Bulldogs), Justin Makirere (Ipswich Jets) and Kobe Tararo (Souths Logan). Former Broncos captain Alex Glenn is listed among the reserves and the 36-year-old is in line for a call-up as the week progresses.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Fiji Bati is number 1 Sunia TuruvaFullback for Cook Islands Aitu is number 1 Esom Ioka
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Winger for Fiji Bati is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Cook Islands Aitu is number 2 Steven Marsters
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Centre for Fiji Bati is number 3 Michael JenningsCentre for Cook Islands Aitu is number 3 Reubenn Rennie
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Centre for Fiji Bati is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Cook Islands Aitu is number 4 Delahia Wigmore
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Winger for Fiji Bati is number 5 Semi ValemeiWinger for Cook Islands Aitu is number 5 Rixson Andrew
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Five-Eighth for Fiji Bati is number 6 Kevin NaiqamaFive-Eighth for Cook Islands Aitu is number 6 Brad Takairangi
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Halfback for Fiji Bati is number 7 Kurt DonoghoeHalfback for Cook Islands Aitu is number 7 Esan Marsters
Forwards
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Prop for Fiji Bati is number 8 Tui KamikamicaProp for Cook Islands Aitu is number 8 Tepai Moeroa
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Hooker for Fiji Bati is number 9 James ValevatuHooker for Cook Islands Aitu is number 9 Rua Ngatikaura
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Prop for Fiji Bati is number 10 Ben NakubuwaiProp for Cook Islands Aitu is number 10 Davvy Moale
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2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Cook Islands Aitu is number 11 Zane Tetevano
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2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 12 Taane Milne2nd Row for Cook Islands Aitu is number 12 Reuben Porter
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Lock for Fiji Bati is number 13 Caleb NavaleLock for Cook Islands Aitu is number 13 Pride Petterson-Robati
Interchange
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Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 14 Penioni TagituimuaInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 14 Kobe Tararo
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Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 15 Kitione KautogaInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 15 Mason Teague
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Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 16 Kylan MafoaInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 17 Justin Makirere
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Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 17 Jordan MillerInterchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 18 Junior Teroi
Reserves
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Replacement for Fiji Bati is number 18 Ratu RinakamaReplacement for Cook Islands Aitu is number 16 Rhys Dakin
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Reserve for Fiji Bati is number 19 Ronald PhilitogaReserve for Cook Islands Aitu is number 19 Malachi Morgan
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Reserve for Fiji Bati is number 20 Nathan Kegg-KingReserve for Cook Islands Aitu is number 20 Makahesi Makatoa
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Reserve for Fiji Bati is number 21 Joe LovoduaReserve for Cook Islands Aitu is number 21 Alex Glenn
Fiji Bati Ins
- James Valevatu
- Ratu Rinakama
- Ronald Philitoga
Cook Islands Aitu Ins
Fiji Bati Outs
Cook Islands Aitu Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Fiji winger Maika Sivo has scored eight tries in his past seven Tests.
- Cook Islands were outscored 68-28 in last year’s Pacific Bowl Tests.
- Fiji have been held to two tries in each of their last two Tests.
- Cook Islands have lost their past four Test matches.
- Fiji downed the Cook Islands 22-18 in Port Moresby in last year’s Pacific Bowl Test.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
