The naysayers have questioned this increasingly provincial sport and its sometimes laughable and often one-sided, so-called World Cup. But against the favourites and hosts Australia, the Fiji Bati showed – from the tears on the players cheeks during their anthem, their wondrous pre-match hymn, right through 80 minutes of fearless effort in attack and defence – why this tournament is worth persisting with. The inspiring Fijians appeared to have answers to every criticism, a response to every question, except three.
The quality on the Australian bench, the class of James Tedesco and the finishing of triple try-scorer Tom Trbojevic finally took down the likeable underdogs, in front of a healthy Sunday night crowd in Brisbane and no doubt millions watching on prime time television. Fiji had taken the lead early in the second half when winger Semi Valemei – who also ended with a hat-trick – slid into the corner off a cut-out pass from impressive five-eighth Kurt Donoghoe. The Dolphins playmaker almost set up another score moments later to put his side two tries ahead with half an hour to play.
As staggering as that might have been, it was no less than Fiji deserved. But that four pointer was disallowed due to obstruction, and from the ensuing set the Kangaroos got on a roll, and Sam Walker and Tedesco combined to put Trbojevic over in the corner to level the scores. Within minutes, Walker had knocked over a penalty goal to secure a lead they would not relinquish.
Trbojevic picked up a Tedesco grubber minutes later, and the Kangaroos began to feel comfortable. The Manly player completed his hat-trick on the edge of a flowing move featuring Tedesco again, that put the result beyond doubt with 15 minutes to go. Though Trbojevic scored three tries, his right edge alongside Kotoni Staggs was rarely comfortable against the Fijians, and Donoghoe created another try down that side in the final 10 minutes.
It proved only a consolation score for Fiji, but it will be food for thought for coach Kevin Walters ahead of the challenge looming at the end of the tournament. Tedesco was playing his first Test since 2023, and the Roosters’ Clive Churchill medallist was influential early. After three handling errors ruined a promising Fijian opening, the 33-year-old drew two tacklers and a short ball put Staggs over for the first try.
The veteran had entered the tournament as a man reborn after two superb seasons were capped off by a premiership, making him the player many thought should be the Australian No 1. As Tedesco rested against New Zealand, however, Reece Walsh roared with a match-winning display, adding intrigue to an already difficult decision facing coach Walters later in the tournament. As the first half ticked on, the Bati reminded the 41,108 fans at Suncorp Stadium this was more than an Australian selection trial.
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