Fiji ran 11 tries and a half-century of points on the United States of America in their opening match of the Rugby League World Cup.
Kevin Naiqama and Jarryd Hayne were the stars for Fiji as they ended the game in the first quarter of an hour, putting four tries and 20 points on the board to lead the clock early in the contest.
The USA battled their way back into the contest, scoring on their first opportunity with Matthew Shipway barging over, but it was all doom and gloom for the Hawks as the Bati put another two past them before halftime.
The second half was a mere formality as Fiji ensured they recorded a thumping victory.
Taane Milne was the first over the line for the Bati, benefiting off a Suliasi Vunivalu offload in the second minute, before a spread wide saw a grubber back inside from Milne for Kevin Naiqama to increase the lead.
Milne was over five minutes later with his second, before Kane Evans scored in the very next set off a brilliant short ball from Hayne.
It came at a price though, with Evans breaking his hand in the collision over the line. While it didn’t hurt the Bati tonight, losing one of their starting props is going to have a huge impact on their chances at beating the top sides later in the tournament should they get there.
Following the try to Shipway, Fiji blew a few chances before Naiqama scored his second and Vunivalu crashed over in the corner to have 36 points on the board at halftime.
They started the second half the same way as the first, with Hayne scoring six minutes in after Villiame Kikau broke the line.
Kikau himself was next over for a try, before Vunivalu scored four minutes later with Fiji still blowing a few chances throughout the second half, despite the huge scoreline.
Henry Raiwalui scored the last try for Fiji 15 minutes from fulltime, with the USA managing to hold them out on another few attacking raids, as well as getting a try of their own through Junior Vaivai.
Fiji now get ready for a contest with Wales in the crossover game next Sunday, while the USA battle Italy, likely to decide second spot in Group D.
Fiji 58
United States of America 12
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