FLYING wingers Suliasi Vunivalu and Maiko Sivo have scored doubles to lead Fiji, captained by Gerringong's Korbin Sims, to a 58-14 win over Lebanon, with the Cedars reneging on a threatened protest to cover their national emblem.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Lebanese players had originally stated their intentions to tape over the cedar-tree logo but - after the Lebanese Rugby League Federation threatened prosecution, including fines, suspensions and even imprisonment - the protest was withdrawn.
The build-up to the match was heavily focused on Lebanon, but Fiji dominated Saturday evening's Test at Sydney's Leichhardt Oval.
The Bati scored 10 tries to three as Canterbury's reserve-grade halfback Brandon Wakeham put on a masterclass. The 20-year-old playmaker, yet to play NRL, scored a try and kicked eight goals, as well as assisting in two tries.
Despite plenty of media hype surrounding Lebanon's preparations for the match, coach Rick Stone said he doesn't think it affected the squad.
"I don't think (the off-field drama) affected us but, then again, I wasn't out there with the boys," Stone told AAP.
"I must say there was a lot of media hype this week - more than usual. It didn't seem to be a distraction at training but I'm not quite sure what impact it had on the younger boys.
"I was proud of the boys tonight even though the result didn't go our way.
"We've got to keep building, try and find some young players and more NRL players to represent Lebanon and then we'll be moving in the right direction."
Jayson Bukuya scored a double in the final 40 minutes, while Joe Lovodua and Sivo also crossed for second-half tries, but the game was all after 40 minutes.
The Fijians dominated from the outset, scoring six tries to one in the opening half to lead 34-4 at the break.
"0ur start won it for us. We were on right from that opening kickoff," Bukuya said.
"It was a great effort from the boys and, hopefully, we can build on this. The goal is to eventually become a tier-one nation and I think we're moving in the right direction."
Cedars winger Abbas Miski scored a second-half double to give the Lebanon fans on the Wayne Pearce Hill something to celebrate.
Giant prop Tui Kamikamica crashed over for the first try of the night, before Melbourne teammate Vunivalu crossed in the corner to extend the lead to 12-0.
Sivo scored arguably the try of the night when he leaped high above his opposing winger to catch a Sitiveni Moceidreke bomb before planting the ball down.
Penrith back-rower Viliame Kikau and Wakeham also scored for the Bati in the opening half, while Michael Lichaa took off from dummy-half to score Lebanon's lone try of the term.
The result wasn't Fiji's only victory of the night with the women's side, in which Korbin's sister CJ made her international debut, recording a 28-nil win against the PNG Orchids in their first international match.
