They will also have the honour of playing England at Twickenham in the opening match of the tournament on September 18. 

"It's a big game for us as a team and as a nation," said Fiji captain Akapusi Qera.

"It's a big thing for a rugby player growing up to qualify for the Rugby World Cup and that's what motivated us in the second half."

Fiji celebrate qualifyng for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England and Wales after running up a century of points against Cook Islands ©IRB

Fiji were firm favourites to win this qualifying match but found themselves 6-5 down after half-an-hour. 

Fiji full back Metuisela Talebula had crossed for a very early try after a minute but Cooks replied with some determined play and pressure in the Fiji 22 that led to two penalty goals from the boot of fly-half Sam Vaevae.

But then Fiji eventually found a way through the dogged defence with two pieces of terrific counter attack from their own half.

Centre Nemani Nadolo led the way by breaking midfield tackles and finding space and scrum half Nemla Kenatale and then centre Asaeli Tikoirotuma both crossed under the posts within minutes of each other.

Nadolo then crossed himself after some slick handling from his teammates followed by powerful wing Watisoni Votu as Fiji found gaps in the tiring Cooks defensive line.

In the space of 10 minutes four tries had turned the game and Fiji took a 29-6 lead into the interval.

The second half became one-way traffic and Fiji scored a further 12 tries and 79 points.

Nadolo added two tries to give him a hat-trick in a fine all round display that included three conversions.

His teammates, fullback Talebula, replacement scrum half Nikola Matawalu and replacement three-quarters Adriu Delai and Timoci Nagusa scored a brace of tries each.

Among the onslaught fly half Jonetani Ralulu found time to slot a dropped goal to add to his game tally of seven conversions.

There was also a very popular try for Test debutant Leroy Atalifo who came on as a replacement prop in the second half.

Kenya caused a shock in the African Nations Cup in Antananarivo when they the competition's highest-ranked team Namibia in the opening match ©IRB

There was a shock in the opening matches of the African Nations Cup in Antananarivo, Madagascar, where Kenya took a big step towards qualifying for the World Cup for the first time by beating Namibia 29-22.

Namibia have qualified for the last four World Cup tournaments and are the competition's highest-ranked team.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, beat hosts Madagascar 57-22.

Each country plays its three opponents once with the mini-league winners joining title-holders New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Georgia in Pool C.

The runners-up visit Siberia for a repechage semi-final against Russia and the victors tackle Uruguay or Hong Kong for a Pool A slot beside England, Australia, Wales and Fiji.

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