RLWC as it happened: Fiji sends World Cup warning with mammoth win to start campaign

That’s our Rugby League World Cup live coverage done for this evening.

READ OUR WRAP HERE.

We’ll catch you next time.

A comprehensive victory for Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium

The score finishes 40-12 with multiple NRL players showing their class this afternoon!

Fiji half Kurt Donoghoe has been equisite with his playmaking today.

Once again he’s put centre Solomone Saukuru over after the promising Tigers back ran a perfect unders line.

The score’s 40-12.

It’s been a nice period here for the Cook Islands.

Davvy Moale started his run from the 10-metre line and had a look on his face that no one was going to stop him.

The score’s now 34-12.

The Cook Islands have been much better in this second half and they’ve been rewarded.

Maui Winitana-Patelesio is the man going over a brilliant solo effort in the middle of the field.

The five-eighth, dummied and skipped around multiple defenders before beating fullback Bayleigh Bentley-Hape at the end to score.

At 37, Brad Takairangi is in the match now. This is his fourth World Cup, three for Cook Islands and one for New Zealand.

The oldest player to ever play was Petero Civoniceva when appeared for Fiji.

Currently Fiji leads 34-0 after a Kitione Kautoga following half-time. Kautoga has also been placed on report for a dangerous tackle.

The second half has started at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Can the Cook Islands salvage anything this afternoon?

It’s going to be a big day for the Fiji Bati fans in Newcastle.

Caleb Navale is now in the points after a runaway effort from the lock.

Navale broke the line from around 35 metres out afte a short ball from Brandon Wakeham.

Wakeham missed the kick and it’s 28-0.

No further points to end the half as Cook Islands go into the sheds searching for answers.

Can Fiji Bati get to 50?

Taane Milne is the latest tryscorer after burrowing over from dummy half.

There was a Bunker check to see if he’d committed a double movement but it was given the all clear.

Some feeble defence from Cook Islands on display today.

The score is 24-0.

Jacob Saifiti has the Newcastle crowd up and about!

Saifiti competed for the kick from Brandon Wakeham and beat fullback Esom Ioka in the air to score.

“Front-rowers aren’t meant to be doing that,” Aaron Woods said on Seven.

The big smile said it all from Saifiti as he returned from suspension too.