Timoci Tavatavanawai’s hat-trick in the first half gave the Vodafone Fijian Under-20 team the extra energy to thump Cook Islands 50-3 yesterday.

Cook Islands got the first points with a penalty kick from Jayd Kapa in the 20th minute in the first round of the Oceania Rugby U20 Trophy at the ANZ Stadium.

While Fiji failed to get their set pieces right, Tavatavanawai did not have any trouble finding the try- line scoring three tries before half time as Fiji led 17-3.

Fiji continued their dominance in the second spell with John Manu also scoring a hat-trick with the other two tries coming from Frank Lomani and Semisi Matawalu.

Coach Salimoni Ravouvou was pleased with the win but said the game against the Tongans will be a tough one.

“Timoci did what is expected of a winger, he is a good finisher,” Ravouvou said.

“It was a bit tough in the first half but the boys settled down in the second half. The first game pointed our strength and weakness.

“We will be focusing on what we can improve and prepare ourselves for the next game which is going to be tough.

“Like Cook Islands, most of the Tongan players are studying and playing in New Zealand and Australia.

“We expect a very physical match and we need to get our game right.”

Meanwhile, Cook Islands assistant coach Dean Bickerton said they needed to apply pressure but they just could not pull it together.

“But take nothing away from Fiji, they played well once they hit the freedom to do what they want and start enjoying their game.

“We wanted to apply more pressure which we didn’t do.”

Fiji plays Tonga on December 10 while Cook Islands take on Tonga on Friday at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.