Fiji vs Cook Islands Preview & Prediction | 2024 Pacific Bowl

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

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