Fiji Bati blitz sets up Kangaroos blockbuster as Breakers fall short

The Fiji Bati have fired a warning shot to the rest of the Rugby League World Cup, overwhelming regional rivals Cook Islands 40-12 in Newcastle, Australia, on Sunday.

The Fijians have thrown down the gauntlet in the tournament’s unforgiving ‘pool of death’.

Led by four-time NRL Premiership winner Api Koroisau, the Bati delivered a clinical first-half blitz that left the Kukis chasing the scoreboard.

Fiji crossed for five unanswered tries before halftime to build a commanding 28-0 lead, making light work of what many expected to be a tricky opening assignment.

The victory sets up a high-stakes showdown against the Australian Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium this coming Sunday where the Bati will get an immediate test of their title credentials.

Speaking after the match, Koroisau said he was pleased with how the side executed its game plan in their opening match.

Brandon Wakeham of Fiji was named Player of the Match. Photo/Mark Evans/ Photosport.

“We knew what we had to do today and we did that,” Koroisau told Australian broadcaster Charlie White. “It was a great effort by the boys, we executed in that first half and it was a great win and pretty proud of how the boys turned up.”

While the Cook Islands managed to bridge the gap with two second-half tries, captain KL Iro conceded Fiji were the better side on the day.

“Fiji were the better team today,” Iro told White . "They came out harder than we did, unfortunately that’s how rugby league is sometimes. Very thankful to the family and always proud to put this jersey on.”

The Bati now face a major test against the Australian Kangaroos on Sunday 25 October at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane at 10.05pm (NZT), while the Cook Islands travel to Christchurch to take on New Zealand at One NZ Stadium, 6.05pm (NZT).

Turnovers sink Breakers in Tassie thriller

In the NBL, the BNZ Breakers’ road trip blues continued as 18 costly turnovers doomed them to a tight 98-92 defeat against the Tasmania JackJumpers in Hobart on Sunday.

Despite a gruelling travel schedule, the Auckland-based club traded blows in an intense battle featuring 28 lead changes.

But Tasmania’s home advantage and physical defensive pressure proved decisive in the final stretch.

The loss leaves the Breakers at 4-4 on the season and fourth on the ladder, having played six of their eight games away from home.

They stop in Melbourne for recovery before taking on the Cairns Taipans on Sunday 25 October, 5pm (NZT) at Cairns Convention Centre.