A late Maika Sivo try was not enough as the Vodafone Fiji Bati were beaten 32-17 by Samoa in their opening match at the Rugby League Nines World Cup last night.
The Samoans led 17-4 at half-time.
Fiji tried to get back into the match in the second spell but Samoa proved too strong to secure a convincing victory.
The Fiji Bati will take on Tonga at 2.10 pm in their second match today.
Meanwhile, in another match the Australian Kangaroos proved too good for New Zealand, winning 25-12 while Tonga lost to Cook Islands 30-7.
