SEMI Valemei had three moments to remember in Brisbane, leaving his mark on the Fiji Bati’s World Cup clash against Australia last Sunday with a hat-trick that brought back memories of his early rugby league success.
The winger crossed three times in the Bati’s 36-22 defeat to the Kangaroos on Sunday, finishing off the kind of opportunities that can turn a match on its head.
Valemei’s performance was made possible by the vision of Kurt Donoghoe, whose sublime ball-playing had the crowd of 41,118 on their feet as three cut-out passes landed on the winger’s chest for tries.
Donoghoe’s three cut-out passes helped set up Valemei’s hat-trick, with Fiji captain Apisai Koroisau admitting he was surprised by the five-eighth’s execution.
“I went straight up to Kurt after the game and I was like, ‘where’d that cut-out come from’, he’s never thrown one in training,” Koroisau said.
Three times Donoghoe delivered, and three times Valemei made the Australians pay. It was a combination that kept Fiji in the contest against the reigning champions and gave the Bati something to take pride in, even as Australia pulled away in the second half.
The hat-trick also echoed a memorable moment from Valemei’s earlier career, when he scored three tries for Canberra’s under-20 side in the 2019 Jersey Flegg Cup grand final.
That achievement came before his National Rugby League debut for Canberra in 2020. Now, on the World Cup stage, he has produced another three-try performance, this time against one of the toughest sides in international rugby league.
While Donoghoe deservedly collected player-of-the-match honours for his creative work, Valemei’s finishing gave those passes their full value.
The result may have went Australia’s way, but the Bati winger’s three tries were a reminder of the damage Fiji can do when its outside backs are given space and the ball arrives at the right time.
The focus now turns to New Zealand, with the Bati set to meet the Kiwis on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Vodafone Fiji Bati winger Semi Valemei scores a try during the Men’s Rugby League World Cup Group A match between Australia and Fiji at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hint
