Naikore bags three as Fiji set up a shot at history

Fiji Bulikula are within touching distance of a historic first World Cup berth after defeating Cook Islands 18-6 to secure a spot in next Saturday's qualifying final against Fetu Samoa. 

Playing on home soil at Suva's HFC Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Fiji benefitted from a three-try haul by Cowboys powerhouse Vitalina Naikore on the right wing, while 20-year-old halfback Losana Lutu was excellent on the ball in what was her nation's first Test victory since 2019. 

Despite looking the superior side for much of the encounter, Fiji still struggled to shake off their opponents in the face of a high error count and a series of impatient decisions with ball in hand.

But 18 unanswered points from the 18th minute onwards was enough to set up a winner-takes-all clash against Samoa in Auckland on November 2 which doubles as the Pacific Bowl Final and World Cup qualifier. 

While they completely dominated opportunities on the ball through the first 10 minutes – enjoying 73 percent possession at one stage – Bulikula had nothing to show for it bar a disallowed try due to obstruction. 

Instead it was the Cook Islands who turned the scoreboard over first through a Kerehitina Matua try which Charntay Poko converted. 

But the Moana's feeble defence, which saw them rack up 23 missed tackles inside the first 18 minutes, was soon exposed by Fiji, who scored two tries in the space of four minutes to hit the lead. 

The hosts should have added a couple more too, but continuously coughed up handling errors and ended up giving the Moana chances to get back into the game themselves, which they almost did on the stroke of half-time when Crystal Tamarua came up just short. 

Sitting on a 10-6 advantage at the break, it took just five minutes for Fiji to give themselves some added comfort thanks to a piece of individual brilliance from Lutu, who kicked across field to send Naikore over for her second. 

By the time her third arrived just after the hour mark the contest was all but over, with the Cook Islands unable to muster up a response through the final 10 minutes.