Viliame Kikau has demonstrated why he’s rated one of rugby league’s most destructive running forwards by spearheading Fiji to a 44-20 upset of Samoa.

Despite facing a more fancied Samoa side full of NRL experience, Kikau showed them up with a performance that will have Penrith fans salivating.

The Panthers star bagged two tries and set up a third for a 24-point halftime lead that Samoa wouldn’t get close to challenging on Saturday.

The victory leaves the Bati in the box seat to top group B of the Oceania Cup and earn promotion into group A next year to face New Zealand and Great Britain.

Kikau was well-supported by hooker Joe Lovodua, who scored the opening try and assisted on two others.

Samoa entered the contest overwhelming favourites on the back of a line-up boasting stars Martin Taupau, Junior Paulo and Joseph Leilua along with NRL regulars Jorge Taufua, Daniel Levi, Dunamis Lui and Jarome Luai.

To be fair, Fiji were able to call on a sprinkling of top graders too but were missing three more in Apisai Koroisaua, Maika Sivo and Jayson Bukuya.

However Samoa were left stunned by a four-try point-a-minute opening ambush orchestrated by Kikau and halfback Brandon Wakeham.

They momentarily stemmed the tide with a Tim Lafai try in the 27th minute but Kikau ended any thought of a comeback with a solo effort on halftime.

Samoa did get the first of the second half through Taufua but it was all Fiji from there with tries to Isaac Lumelume, Brayden Wiliame and Kevin Naiqama.

Taufua and Ronaldo Mulitalo claimed late consolation four-pointers.

The lopsided defeat is certain to pile pressure on Samoa coach Matt Parish, whose side now rely on Papua New Guinea heavily upsetting Fiji to top the pool.

Samoa has won just one of their past nine games under Parish.

Fiji also trounced Lebanon 58-14 in an exhibition match earlier this year.