CI sevens squad looking muscular

A new-look Cook Islands rugby sevens squad had their first major hit out this week against Gordon Tietjens New Zealand squad.

For the Cook Islands squad, the friendly match against New Zealand gives the largely inexperienced players a good understanding of the intensity with which they need to play games when the Wellington Sevens tournament kicks off on Friday (Thursday CI time).

Cook Islands coach Ramsey Tomokino has named eight world series debutants in his 12-man squad, which includes players based in New Zealand, Australia and Rarotonga.

He says the team is looking as fit and strong as theyve ever been.

The body shape of our boys is a lot different this year also. They were all training at One Tree Hill the other day and they all ended up taking shirts off and one of the guys commented that this is probably the best, muscular looking side that weve had in a long time. Obviously guys have adhered to what weve been saying about changing their body shapes and just having a look at the other athletes around them.

Before meeting New Zealand in the friendly match, the Cooks competed at the Fijian sevens tournament in Auckland.

The Cooks have been drawn in Pool B with South Africa, England and the USA.

The Cooks have beaten England and the USA in previous seven tournaments.

The full squad includes Ashley Drake (Horowhenua Kapiti), Sean Fletcher (on debut/Auckland), Koiatu Koiatu (Perth), Kairan Mahia (on debut/Rarotonga), Jamie Makara (Auckland), Tiakina Manga (on debut/Horowhenua Kapiti), Tai Marsters (on debut/Sydney), Beau Mokotupu (on debut/Canberra), Dexter Moroney (on debut/Auckland), Arthur Mui (Auckland), Ryan Short (on debut/Brisbane) and Jerome Vogel (on debut/Auckland).

Non travelling reserves are Junior Napara (Auckland), Trends Poila (Auckland) and Teariki Peneha (Horewhenua Kapiti).

Supporting coaching Ramsey Tomokino are manager Brent Matchett, physio Cameron Simmiss and trainer Morna Pulevaka.