Cooks spoil Fijian broth

Saturday 24th October 2009

FIJI 22

COOK ISLANDS 24

By Joanna Lester at Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby

The Cook Islands are just 80 minutes away from a place in next year's Four Nations after reaching the final of the SP Brewery Pacific Cup with a thrilling last-gasp win over Fiji in Port Moresby.

The Cooks, who only qualified for the tournament thanks to a shock defeat of Samoa, twice built ten-point leads and took advantage of Fiji's lack of ball control to sneak a victory in the final seconds.

Fiji thought they were safe when Leeds Rhinos' Mike Ratu crossed with three minutes to go levelling the scores at 20-all, and captain Wes Naiqama's touchline conversion put the Bati 22-20 ahead.

But the Cook Islands team, composed mainly of NRL Toyota Cup (under 20's) players had the last word, as Gold Coast Titans winger Dominic Peyroux pounced on a high ball to send the ecstatic Cooks into next Sunday's final against Papua New Guinea or Tonga.

FIJI 22

Tries: Akuila Uate (2), Lepani Waqa, Mike Ratu

Goals: Wes Naiqama (3)

COOK ISLANDS 24

Tries: Vincent Ngaro, Daniel Fepuleai (2), Dominic Peyroux (2)

Goals: Daniel Fepuleai (2)