Fiji's forwards drive first-half blitz

Match Report: World Cup - Fiji vs Cook Islands

Brandon Wakeham supplied three try assists, two line breaks and four tackle breaks, then added six goals as Fiji opened their World Cup campaign with a 40-12 win over Cook Islands.

Apisai Koroisau also drove Fiji's attack from dummy half, while the forwards controlled the middle and created second-phase opportunities.

Fiji scored twice in the opening 12 minutes, though Cook Islands resisted for a spell and struggled to convert their attacking chances against the Bati defence.

Jacob Saifiti scored his first Test try in the 28th minute, collecting an aerial ball over fullback Esom Ioka and grounding it beneath the posts.

Taane Milne and Caleb Navale added tries before the break, with Navale running 40 metres after taking a short pass from Wakeham.

Fiji led 28-0 at half-time after claiming 62 per cent of possession; Cook Islands completed only a handful of sets.

Kitione Kautoga extended the lead after the interval, before Maui Winitana-Patelesio and Davvy Moale scored in succession for Cook Islands.

Centre Solomone Saukuru then crossed for Fiji from Kurt Donoghoe's short ball, settling the result with 10 minutes remaining.

Fiji next face the Kangaroos, while Cook Islands meet New Zealand in the following round.

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