Fiji gave Italy a 43-9 hiding at Churchill Park on Saturday, sending Brad Johnstone¹s team back to Europe winless from their four-match tour of the South Pacific.

Tries from Marika Vunibaka, Vili Satala and Simon Raiwalui helped Fiji to a 27-3 half-time lead, as the speed and skill of the Fijian backline shone through brightly.

Vunibaka, who has progressed beyond recognition in the last six months,charged down the right flank in the 15th minute and sidestepped Italian fullback Cristian Stoica on the way to his fourth try in three tests.

Raiwalui, all 120kg of him, showed a rare bit of pace for Fiji¹s second try,catching Stoica hesitating before bundling the ball over the line.

Vunibaka then made another good break before off-loading to Satala who darted through to score in front of his home crowd.

At 27-0 (after Little had slotted home three penalties and a couple of conversions), Fiji eased up and allowed the Italians room to run.

However, a solitary penalty goal from Juan Manuel Queirolo was all Johnstone¹s team could muster.

Despite long periods of possession in the second period, Italy were unable to break through a stern Fijian defence.

Two more penalty goals gave them a total of nine points, but Fiji¹s try-scoring spree hadn¹t finished.

Little added Fiji¹s fourth try after a dazzling run down the left. Then Vilimoni Delasau rounded off the match by kicking through for replacement fullback Norman Ligairi to score.

The win gives Greg Smith a five-from-six record as Fiji coach, with this being their first home game of the lot.

"Overall, it was a good performance," Smith said. "We slackened off a little after building up a lead which was disturbing; but the lads got stuck into it again and also prevented Italy from scoring any tries."

Former Fiji coach Johnstone had mixed emotions about the game.

"Obviously, it would have been nice to have won," Johnstone, who coached Fiji for five years, said. "But I¹m also happy for the Fiji boys. I¹m glad that they have been able to go beyond Brad Johnstone. I hope that Smithy can take them up to the next level."

Fiji (1-15): Henry Qiodravu (Isaia Rasila), Greg Smith (captain), Peniasi
Damu (Joe Veitayaki 40), Emori Katalau (Alifereti Doviverata 40), Simon
Raiwalui, Jope Tuikabe, Koli Sewabu, Inoke Male (Sailosi Naiteqe 70), Jacob
Rauluni (Moses Rauluni 73), Nicky Little, Vilimoni Delasau, Seremaia Bai,
Vili Satala (Jolame Nadolo 70), Marika Vunibaka, Kameli Natoba (Norman
Ligairi 70).

Tries: Vunibaka, Satala, Raiwalui, Little, Ligairi. Conversions: Little (3).
Penalty goals: Little (4).

Italy (1-15): Andrea Lo Cicero (Salvatore Perugini), Alessandro Moscardi,
Giampiero De Carli, Carlo Checchinato (Maurizio Zaffiri), Andrea Gritti
(Simone Stocco), David Dal Maso, Aaron Persico, Carlo Caione, Juan Manuel
Queirolo (Lisandro Villarga), Ramiro Pez (Francesco Mazzariol), Luca Martin,
Giacomo Preo, Giovanni Raineri, Nicola Mazzucato, Cristian Stoica (captain).

Penalty goals: Queirolo (2), Mazzariol.

Half-time 27-3
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Crowd: 11,000