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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.

Team News

Fiji Bati: The Bati have made just 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. They take the field as named, with Ratu Rinakama the 18th player. 

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. No late changes, with Rhys Dakin the replacement player. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Fiji Bati is number 1 Sunia Turuva
    Fullback for Cook Islands Aitu is number 1 Esom Ioka
  • Winger for Fiji Bati is number 2 Maika Sivo
    Winger for Cook Islands Aitu is number 2 Steven Marsters
  • Centre for Fiji Bati is number 3 Michael Jennings
    Centre for Cook Islands Aitu is number 3 Reubenn Rennie
  • Centre for Fiji Bati is number 4 Waqa Blake
    Centre for Cook Islands Aitu is number 4 Delahia Wigmore
  • Winger for Fiji Bati is number 5 Semi Valemei
    Winger for Cook Islands Aitu is number 5 Rixson Andrew
  • Five-Eighth for Fiji Bati is number 6 Kevin Naiqama
    Five-Eighth for Cook Islands Aitu is number 6 Brad Takairangi 
  • Halfback for Fiji Bati is number 7 Kurt Donoghoe
    Halfback for Cook Islands Aitu is number 7 Esan Marsters

Forwards

  • Prop for Fiji Bati is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
    Prop for Cook Islands Aitu is number 8 Tepai Moeroa
  • Hooker for Fiji Bati is number 9 James Valevatu
    Hooker for Cook Islands Aitu is number 9 Rua  Ngatikaura
  • Prop for Fiji Bati is number 10 Ben Nakubuwai
    Prop for Cook Islands Aitu is number 10 Davvy Moale
  • 2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 11 Viliame Kikau
    2nd Row for Cook Islands Aitu is number 11 Zane Tetevano
  • 2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 12 Taane Milne
    2nd Row for Cook Islands Aitu is number 12 Reuben Porter
  • Lock for Fiji Bati is number 13 Caleb Navale
    Lock for Cook Islands Aitu is number 13 Pride Petterson-Robati 

Interchange

  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 14 Penioni Tagituimua
    Interchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 14 Kobe Tararo
  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 15 Kitione Kautoga
    Interchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 15 Mason Teague
  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 16 Kylan Mafoa
    Interchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 17 Justin Makirere
  • Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 17 Jordan Miller
    Interchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 18 Junior Teroi

Reserves

  • Replacement for Fiji Bati is number 18 Ratu Rinakama
    Replacement for Cook Islands Aitu is number 16 Rhys Dakin

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, 

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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