Vaipae stormed home in the finals to win their respective grades in the championships. 

Coach Pi David Jr said the Vaipae U13 kept things simple with basic passing, competing at every tackle and manoeuvres to outflank the defenders working well in their 22-7 win against Arenikau.

In the U16, the standout was Kalani Vaa Taputoa, a player with aggression and speed who scored at will in the final, helping his side to a 15-0 win against Arenikau.

Coach Shane Munokoa said intensive training over the past two weeks had helped the team to work out their weaknesses.  

Outstanding players included Varu Williams at halfback whose vision on the field helped set up tries for speedster Tyronne Munokoa. 

Williams also scored some scintillating tries as a result of broken play and quick thinking.

In the U10 grand final, Terepai Karan, the fleet footed, long-haired shogun lookalike, scored all of Tautu’s points to win against Vaipae 28-0.

Coach Ngaa Taria could not speak highly enough of young Karan and credited his team’s hard work around the field for the win. 

Taria said the fact that he had scored four tries and converted all of them was a testament to Karan’s talent.

“He can play anywhere in the backline and what is really surprising is that he’s the smallest player on the field.”

Taria said talent like this would be lost to other codes if the arms of CIRU did not reach out to the outer islands.

In the senior men’s final, Arenikau were again the fitter and quicker team boosted by the presence of Aitutaki Sharks Fijian imports Joe, Sam and Pate who proved to be the difference in the side. 

Arenikau defeated Tautu 21-5.

CIRU official Simon Iopu said although the 7s season had now finished, the looming 10-a-side was creating a buzz on the island with players looking forward to another exciting version of rugby union.

            - Losirene Chand

Results: U10 Tautu 28 Vaipae 0, U13 Vaipe 22 Arenikau 7, U16 Vaipae 15 Arenikau 0, Open Men Tautu 5 Arenikau 21