The Vodafone Fiji Bati had to fight tooth and nail to secure a hard fought 22-18 win over Cook Islands in the Pacific Championships yesterday.
A late Sunia Turuva led the Wise Kativerata coached side to a thrilling 22-18 victory over the Cook Islands in Port Moresby yesterday.
Down 18-16 with six minutes to play, the 2023 Dally M rookie of the year did it all himself to dart and weave his way through Cook Island defenders and keep his side’s Pacic Championships finals alive.
The Cook Islands had all the momentum in the opening stages of the match and after misfiring several early opportunities, halfback Esan Marsters fooled Fiji defenders with a right foot step before powering over under the sticks.
Just five minutes later the Bati kicked into gear with Blake combining with Eels teammate and Papua New Guinea’s fan favourite Sivo who scored in the left corner to make it 6-4.
When Bati backrower was sent to the sin bin (high contact) in the 32nd minute, the Cook Islands looked to capitalise on the advantage but NRL rookies Sunia Turuva and Jahream Bula produced some inspirational defence to deny Justin Estall-Makirere a chance to extend their lead before half time.
Esom Ioka dotted down foe the Cook Islands again in the second spell to score under the posts.
Marsters’ conversion made it 12-4. But with errors creeping into the Cook Islands game, the Fiji Bati found some much needed spark through debutant Bula who pushed up inside in attack before breaking the line to score his first international try. Wakeham’s conversion made it 12-10.
Fiji hit the lead for the first time in the 68th of the match in unlikely fashion, with Blake catching the Cook Islands defence napping, scooping up a loose ball which ricocheted off Bula’s head.
But the Cook Islands refused to lie down and stole back the lead with Marsters putting a powering Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano over from close range.
Marsters converted to make it 18-16. With less than six minutes to play it was winger Turuva who stood up when it counted, doing it all himself to muscle his way over the line and that was enough for the Bati to secure the 22-18.
Fiji takes on the PNG Kumuls in the decider next Sunday.
