Viliame Kikau leads Fiji to smashing victory over star-studded Samoan side

Fji have pulled off the upset win over Samoa in the opening match of the Eden Park triple header with Viliame Kikau starring in the 44-18 romp.

Viliame Kikau of Fiji runs the ball in the Men's Pool game between Fiji and The Samoa during the Downer Rugby League World Cup 9's competition at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, Friday, October 18, 2019. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Viliame Kikau has demonstrated why he’s rated one of rugby league’s most destructive running forwards by spearheading Fiji to a 44-18 upset of Samoa.

Despite facing a more fancied Samoa side full of NRL experience, Kikau showed them up with a performance that will have Penrith fans salivating.

The Panthers star bagged two tries and set up a third for a 24-point halftime lead that Samoa wouldn’t get close to challenging on Saturday. Fiji coach Brandon Costin hailed Kikau’s humility during camp.

“He’s an out-and-out athlete. He’s one of the best NRL players in the game but when he goes into that camp, he’s a locally born and bred Fijian,” Costin said.

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Kikau was a terror down Fiji’s left edge. AAP Image/Brendon Thorne.

“The whole environment within our camp just drops down and there’s a massive sense of humility across these boys that are playing at the top of their game.

“They don’t have to be so humble. It’s just in their upbringing, they come from a Fijian village and it’s just amazing to be around these humans.”

The victory leaves the Bati in the box seat to top group B of the Oceania Cup and earn promotion into group

A next year to face New Zealand and Great Britain. Kikau was well-supported by hooker Joe Lovodua, who scored the opening try and assisted on two others.

Samoa entered the contest overwhelming favourites on the back of a line-up boasting stars Martin Taupau, Junior Paulo and Joseph Leilua.

Fiji totally dominated their more fancied opposition. Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images.

In contrast, Fiji only had seven players of NRL experience and were missing the likes of Apisai Koroisau, Maika Sivo and Jayson Bukuya.

However Samoa were left stunned by a four-try point-a-minute opening ambush orchestrated by Kikau and halfback Brandon Wakeham.

They momentarily stemmed the tide with a Tim Lafai try in the 27th minute but Kikau ended any thought of a comeback with a solo effort on halftime.

Samoa did get the first of the second half through Taufua but it was all Fiji from there with tries to Isaac Lumelume, Brayden Wiliame and Kevin Naiqama. Taufua and Ronaldo Mulitalo claimed late consolation four-pointers.

The lopsided defeat is certain to pile pressure on Samoa coach Matt Parish, whose side now rely on Papua New Guinea heavily upsetting Fiji to top the pool.

Samoa has won just one of their past nine games under Parish, who was disappointed in his team’s lack of resiliency.

“(Fiji) played with a lot of energy on the back of our mistakes and we had no answers,” Parish said.

“I thought we should’ve been a bit more resilient at times, but that’s football.”

Fiji also trounced Lebanon 58-14 in an exhibition match earlier this year.

FIJI 44 (V Kikau 2 J Lovodua I Lumelume D Miller K Naiqama J Ratuvakacereivalu B Wiliame tries B Wakeham 5 S Moceidreke goals) bt SAMOA 18 (J Taufua 2 T Lafai R Mulitalo tries T Lafai goal) at Eden Park. Referee: Grant Atkins.

Originally published as Viliame Kikau leads Fiji to smashing victory over star-studded Samoan side