Fiji vs Cook Islands Preview & Prediction | 2024 Pacific Bowl
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After going down in disappointing fashion to Papua New Guinea last week, Fiji will look to bounce back as they welcome the Cook Islands to the National Stadium in Suva
START DATE/TIME: Saturday 26th October, 2024, UK – 7:10pm / Sunday 27th October, AUS – 4:10am / Saturday 26th October, US ET – 2:10pm / Saturday 26th October, US PT – 11:10am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK - This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix / AUS - This match will be broadcast live on Watch NRL
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK - This match will be streamed on SkyGo / AUS - This match will be streamed on Watch NRL
FIJI: BATI LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK FROM OPENING LOSS
The Bati make one change from the side that lost last week to PNG a James Valevatu comes in at hooker and Penioni Tagituimua drops to the bench. They had eight debutants last week and building more cohesion and getting more game time is key for their development as a team. Coach Wise Kativerata was not that unhappy despite the loss last week and is confident there is plenty more to come from his side.
SQUAD:
1. Sunia Turuva
2. Maika Sivo
3. Michael Jennings
4. Waqa Blake
5. Semi Valemei
6. Kevin Naiqama
7. Kurt Donoghoe
8. Tui Kamikamica
9. James Valevatu
10. Ben Nakubuwai
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Taane Milne
13. Caleb Navale
Interchange
14. Penioni Tagituimua
15. Kitione Kautoga
16. Kylan Mafoa
17. Jordan Miller
Reserves
18. Ratu Rinakama
19. Ronald Philitoga
20. Nathan Kegg-King
21. Joe Lovodua
COOK ISLANDS: KARMICHAEL HUNT’S MEN LOOK TO SPRING UPSET ON THE BATI
The Cook Islands return to action hoping to go one better than they did last year. They pushed Fiji all the way in 22-18 loss and they think they can go that bit better this time around and even beat them. Head coach Karmichael Hunt has called up a strong selection of players with plenty of experience in the likes of Brad Takairangi, Zane Tetevano, Esan Marsters and Tepai Moeroa.
SQUAD:
1. Esom Ioka
2. Steven Marsters
3. Ruebenn Rennie
4. Delahia Wigmore
5. Rixson Andrew
6. Brad Takairangi
7. Esan Marsters
8. Tepai Moeroa
9. Rui Ngatikaura
10. Davvy Moale
11. Zane Tetevano
12. Reuben Porter
13. Pride Petterson-Robati
Interchange
14. Kobe Tararo
15. Mason Teague
17. Justin Makirere
18. Junior Teroi
Reserves
16. Rhys Dakin
19. Malachi Morgan
20. Makahesi Makatoa
21. Alex Glenn
FIJI VS COOK ISLANDS PREDICTION
Fiji are the firm favourites coming into this match and they are helped by having played one match already. Despite their loss to the Kumuls last week, the game time will benefit them and help what is a fairly new-look team with a number of new faces. There should be more signs of them gelling this week. The Cook Islands have some new faces but plenty of familiar ones too. On paper, they do not possess the quality that the Fijians have but they will have plenty of energy and desire. We do however think they will fall short once again and we can see it by a slight wider margin than the four points last year.
FIJI VS COOK ISLANDS TIP: FIJI TO WIN BY 6-10 POINTS
