A dominant display from Fiji has seen them put Italy to the sword to secure their first win of the Rugby League World Cup campaign.
The Fijians would open their account after just eight minutes as Brandon Wakeham took the line on and found Viliame Kikau.
Kikau, who had a stellar year at the Penrith Panthers, then evaded a tackler, and reached out to score.
An Italian error just a few minutes later out wide saw veteran Fijian utility back Kevin Naiqama scoop the ball up and race away to score.
Some eyes up play from Penioni Tagituimua saw the Fijians get their third. Tagituimua burrowed his way over from dummy half to extend the Fijian lead.
Some lazy defence off a short pass then saw Kikau barge over for an easy try, his second of the game.
Api Koroisau, who started the game in the halves, then showed some nifty footwork and pace to break the Italian line and get on the scoreboard.
Koroisau was again involved with a break through the line and some quick offloads and razzle-dazzle saw Tagituimua score his second try.
Koroisau was at it again, this time with a kick back infield that took a friendly bounce for the Fijians and Ben Nakubuwai was able to grab it and score under the posts.
An aerial kick then led to another Fijian try as Kikau nabbed it from the air, passed to his left and the ball eventually ended up with Maika Sivo who eventually raced away to score.
The Italians would not be held scoreless, though, as a quick shift left saw Jake Maizen score their only try, his fourth of the campaign.
Kikau and Sivo would then combine down the left for the Fijian side, as Kikau’s offload saw Sivo prance and dance his way past defenders to score his second.
Taniela Sadrugu then started and finished one of tries of the tournament.
Offloading for Naiqama, the veteran did not have the pace to go all the way but hit the deck, spun, offloaded, and the ball eventually made its way back to Sadrugu to score.
Fiji 60 (Kikau 2, Sivo 2, Tagituimua 2, Naiqama, Koroisau, Nakubuwai, Sadrugu; G: Wakeham 7, Koroisau 2, Raiwalui 1) def. Italy 4 (Maizen).
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Viliame Kikau (FIJ)
2. Apisai Koroisau (FIJ)
1. Penioni Tagituimua (FIJ)
