Under 18 cousins take to the pitch

The visiting New Zealand Kukis under 18s squad is calling on youth and variety for their first match against the local boys today.

The NZ Kukis and homegrown Kukis will play each other three times over the next week as curtain-raiser matches to the tri-series and Kukis international match.

The NZ Kuki squad is playing together for the first time in todays match, and captain Ziggy Kamoe said the boys were itching to test themselves against their Cook Islands-based cousins.

Kamoe, a New Zealand-born Kuki with Aitutakian parents, said the Rarotongan weather may work against the visiting side.

Though he has visited a few times over his life, the recent spike in temperatures has caught a few Rarotongans off guard, let alone visitors from a much cooler New Zealand.

Still, Kamoe said the team was trying to get used to playing in the hotter climate and wouldnt be deterred.

Kamoe said with much of the side aged 16 and 17, he was expecting a fast-paced match from the forwards and the backs.

In their downtime, the boys will be soaking in what they can of the Cook Islands. All of a sudden, the weathers not so much a hurdle but a friend to the under 18s squad.

The visiting New Zealand Kukis under 18s squad is calling on youth and variety for their first match against the local boys today.

The NZ Kukis and homegrown Kukis will play each other three times over the next week as curtain-raiser matches to the tri-series and Kukis international match.

The NZ Kuki squad is playing together for the first time in todays match, and captain Ziggy Kamoe said the boys were itching to test themselves against their Cook Islands-based cousins.

Kamoe, a New Zealand-born Kuki with Aitutakian parents, said the Rarotongan weather may work against the visiting side.

Though he has visited a few times over his life, the recent spike in temperatures has caught a few Rarotongans off guard, let alone visitors from a much cooler New Zealand.

Still, Kamoe said the team was trying to get used to playing in the hotter climate and wouldnt be deterred.

Kamoe said with much of the side aged 16 and 17, he was expecting a fast-paced match from the forwards and the backs.

In their downtime, the boys will be soaking in what they can of the Cook Islands. All of a sudden, the weathers not so much a hurdle but a friend to the under 18s squad.