- Monday 27
- Tuesday 28
- Wednesday 29
- Thursday 30
- Friday 31
- Saturday 1
- Sunday 2
- Monday 3
- Tuesday 4
- Wednesday 5
- Thursday 6
Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu Pacific Championships 2025 Tips - Tryscorer and Team Props to find value
- Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu expert predictions for Saturday’s Pacific Championships NRL game
- Kick off is at 4:00 PM (AEST) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
- Sunia Turuva and KL Iro tipped to score tries
- Cook Islands Team Total set too low, back the over
Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu Pacific Championships 2025 Tips
Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu, Pacific Championships 2025 - Expert Prediction
Fiji head into this matchup as heavy favourites given the previous result between these teams and the perceived lack of strength of the Cook Islands squad.
- Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu, Pacific Championships 2025 - Expert Prediction
- Head to Head
- Fiji Bati Form Analysis
- Fiji Bati Team News
- Fiji Bati Team List
- Cook Islands Aitu Form Analysis
- Cook Islands Aitu Team News
- Cook Islands Aitu Team List
- Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu NRL 2025 Pacific Championships FAQ’s
With so much still unknown about how these teams will perform the best way to attack this from a betting perspective is to look at player props and totals.
The Bati kept Cook Islands to just 6 pts last time around but the same isn’t expected to happen here with weapons the Aitu have at their disposal. KL Iro is one the NRL’s most prolific tryscorers and with Cassius Cowley managing the game it will allow Brad Takairangi to deliver some quality ball to his outside back who will line up against some slower opponents.
Cook Islands have reached 16 pts or more in 6 of their last 10 games, their team total is set low due to the recency bias of the game against Fiji last year. They did though put 20 on PNG in the game after. Fiji have also allowed 16 or more points in 5 of their last 6 games.
Fiji are also widely tipped to score some points and Sunia Turuva is a good shot to get 2 or more on the wing. He has scored a try in 28 NRL games and scored multiple tries in 11 of those. Against a weaker opponent it is likely he has the opportunity, he has also scored in both of his games for Fiji against Cook Islands.
- Player and Team Props are the value play until we know more about the on-field performances of these teams.
- Cook Islands have scored 16 or more in 6 of their last 10 while Fiji have allowed 16 or more in 5 of their last 6 matchups.
- KL Iro scored 12 tries in 14 games for the Sharks this season
- Sunia Turuva has scored in both previous matches against Fiji and scores multiple tries in almost half of games where he scores one.
Head to Head
Fiji have won both Pacific Champs against Cook Islands in 2023 and 2024. The last time Cook Islands beat Fiji was at the 2009 Pacific Cup.
The all-time head to head stands 8-5 in favour of Fiji with 1 draw.
Fiji Bati Form Analysis
Fiji head into this Pac Champs with confidence following their performance from last year. Even though they will be missing some key pieces the overall squad is better and the continuity will continue to ensure the team progresses forward.
There will be some questions around stamina and fatigue with some ageing players and quite a number not having played a game in over a month. The halves will need to glue immediately to open up the backline which is the best part about this team.
Fiji Bati Team News
Jahream Bula takes the reins at fullback and is the clear standout for Fiji in the absence of Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau. He's joined in the backline by Tigers teammate Sunia Turuva and Bulldogs flyer Jethro Rinakama, while Semi Valemei and veteran Michael Jennings form the centre pairing.
Kurt Donoghoe and Brandon Wakeham combine in the halves, with Tui Kamikamica named captain and leading the front row alongside Michael Waqa. Peni Tagituimua starts at hooker, with Terrell Kalo Kalo backing him up. Taane Milne and Kitione Kautoga line up on the edges, Manly’s Caleb Navale starts at lock, and bench spots go to Solomone Saukuru, Keresi Maya and Kylan Mafoa.
Ronald Philitoga is 18th man despite an 11-try season, while Ben Kanubuwai is a notable omission.
Fiji Bati Team List
1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Semi Valemei
4. Michael Jennings
5. Jethro Rinakama
6. Kurt Donoghoe
7. Brandon Wakeham
8. Tui Kamikamica
9. Peni Tagituimua
10. Michael Waqa
11. Taane Milne
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Caleb Navale
Interchange
14. Terrell Kalo Kalo
15. Solomone Saukuru
16. Keresi Maya
17. Kylan Mafoa
Reserves
18. Ronald Philitoga
19. Akuila Qoro
20. Gabriel Tunimakubu
Cook Islands Aitu Form Analysis
The Cook Islands haven’t seen a lot of success at recent tournaments but it doesn’t mean they haven’t been improving. A more settled roster coming into this Pac Champs but some notable omissions from this first game does question the outlook.
Where the Cook Islands have struggled recently is in the back half of matches but they have added young blood and shifted some players around to help remedy that. It will be interesting to see how the halves pairing divide up the play with Cowley having only played 2 QLD Cup games.
They performed extremely well against PNG after getting flogged by Fiji in last year’s Champs, fans will be hoping that the momentum can be found from that success.
Cook Islands Aitu Team News
Esan Marsters slots in at fullback with KL Iro the headline act in the backline, joined by Toulouse duo Paul Ulberg and Reubenn Rennie.
Brad Takairangi returns in the halves alongside Cassius Cowley, while Makahesi Makatoa and Tepai Moeroa lead the pack. Mason Teague gets the nod at hooker over Ruatapu Ngatikaura, with Brendan Piakura and Reuben Porter in the backrow and Pride Petterson-Robati locking the scrum.
Brody Tamarua edges out clubmate Justin Makirere for a bench spot, joined by Rhys Dakin. Notably, Marata Niukore and Davvy Moale are missing from the 17.
Cook Islands Aitu Team List
1. Esan Marsters
2. Paul Ulberg
3. KL Iro
4. Reubenn Rennie
5. Esom Ioka
6. Brad Takairangi
7. Cassius Cowley
8. Makahesi Makatoa
9. Mason Teague
10. Tepai Moeroa
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Reuben Porter
13. Pride Petterson-Robati
Interchange
14. Ruatapu Ngatikaura
16. Brody Tamarua
17. Rhys Dakin
18. Delahia Wigmore
Reserves
19. Teapo Stoltman
20. Justin Makirere
Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu NRL 2025 Pacific Championships FAQ’s
How to watch Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu NRL 2025 Pacific Championships?
You can watch the Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu NRL 2025 Pacific Championships game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.
How to buy tickets to Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu NRL 2025 Pacific Championships?
To buy tickets to the Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu NRL 2025 Pacific Championships game check the NRL website.
Verdict
Cook Islands are tipped to go over their total with KL Iro nabbing a try. Sunia Turuva should get a try and he scores multiples in almost half the games he scores in.
Cook Islands over 16.5
Team Total
$2.00 - 2 Units
Pandabet
It's Black & White
The Pandabet.com.au code is BETSAUS. 18+. T&Cs apply.
KL Iro
Anytime Tryscorer
$2.75 - 1 Unit
Use Easyform
The Ultimate Form Guide
18+ only. Gamble Responsibly. T&Cs apply
S Turuva 2+
Tries
$2.10 - 1 Unit
Lightning fast betting
Join with code BETSAU
18+. T&Cs apply
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
27 July 2026
- ATP Washington -
- Tennis
- Taylor Fritz vs Zizou Bergs -
- Tennis
28 July 2026
- Swan Hill- July 28 -
- Horse Racing
- Bathurst - July 28 -
- Horse Racing
- Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea -
- Soccer
31 August 2026
Load More
