ROUND-UP
SUNIA TURUVA’S 75th-minute try denied the Cook Islands a big upset over Fiji in Port Moresby.
The Kukis led by two points with eight minutes to play, before the Dally M rookie of the year manufactured a superb solo try to haul the Bati over the line.
Fiji lost back rower Kitione Kautoga to the sin bin in the first half for a high shot on Rhys Dakin, and led for less than ten minutes, with Cook Islands halfback Esan Marsters running the show.
But Turuva’s late brilliance made sure Fiji began their Pacific Bowl campaign with a win.
The Kukis faced the Bati seven days after Papua New Guinea crushed them 46-10 at the same venue, but gave a much better account of themselves against a young Fiji side.
Missing key man Api Koroisau to a calf injury, Bati coach Wise Kativerata doled out nine debuts — including impressive fullback Jahream Bula.
Fiji nearly opened the scoring with a razzledazzle team try in the fifth minute, until Maika Sivo fluffed the final pass to Waqa Blake.
Instead, Esan Marsters got the Cook Islands on the board by dancing through some stretched goal-line defence. Steven Marsters landed the first of three goals from three attempts.