Ian Rubin (left) - starred for Russia (Allsport).

By Andy Hampson, PA Sport

Fiji won the battle of the Group One minnows in an entertaining Lincoln World Cup clash at Barrow.

Loose forward Atunaisa Vunivalu ran in a second half hat-trick to secure the victory, with Brisbane Broncos star Lote Tuqiri showing his class with 18 points.

Russia produced a spirited display and notched tries through Robert Iliassov and Joel Rullis, but in the end found the going too tough.

It took Tuqiri just five minutes to get the scoreboard turning as he took a smart Stephen Smith pass and ran under the posts to touch down.

Fiji extended their lead 10 minutes later when a slick move down the right involving Samu Marayawa and Waisale Sovatabua allowed Jone Kuruduadua to cross.

Tuqiri added the extras for his second goal and then helped himself to another try shortly afterwards.

The NRL Grand Final winner created the opening himself with a clever chip and then took a reverse pass from Vunivalu to sprint over and give the islanders a comfortable 16-0 lead.

Russia were keen to show that, as well as making up the numbers, they can play a bit and they snatched a deserved try through Robert Iliassov three minutes before the break.

The full-back burrowed over from dummy-half to his obvious delight after Craig Cigler had carried the ball to the line.

But any hopes they might have had of a comeback were quickly dispelled by Vunivalu after the restart.

The lock ran in for an easy score within two minutes and then added a second five minutes later. He helped himself to a third when Iliassov spilled Tuqiri's bomb.

Wakefield's Sovatabua rounded off the scoring two minutes before full-time.

Russia fought tooth and nail, and a second try from Rullis was the least they deserved for their battling performance.

The loose forward ran onto Sydney Roosters star Ian Rubin's pass and touched down for a try, efficiently converted by Mikhail Mitrofanov.

With England and Australia to come, it was one to savour.

Teams:

Fiji: Tuqiri, Kuraduadua, Sovatabua, Navalu, V. Tokarei, Tadulala, Smith, Tuiyabayaba, Cakacaka, Robarts, Vakatawa,Tamani, Marayawa.

Substitutes: Vunivialu, Lasagavibau, Takayawa, Vuniyayawa.

Tries: Tuqiri 2, Kuraduadua, Vunivialu 3, Sovatabua.

Goals: Tuqiri 5.

Russia: Iliassov, Mitrofanov, Donovan, Cygler, Romanov, Olari, Gavriline, Rubin, Lysenkov, Campbell, Sokolov, Findlay, Rullis.

Substitutes: Kalachkine, Netchaev, Jiltsov, Postnikov.

Tries: Iliassov, Rullis.

Goals: Jiltsov, Mitrofanov.

Att: 2,187

Ref: Russell Smith (England).