Young talent shows at sevens

Today is the final game day of the inaugural CITC Constitution Cup sevens tournament and will separate the men from the boys.

All winners will progress to the cup section and the losers will contest the plate with each team to play a minimum of two games today.

The stand out factor of this tournament has been the high number of under 19 players who’ve taken leadership roles in the various teams including the young Cook Islands Sports Academy team taking on senior players.

The outstanding players so far this tournament who are sure to make an impact today are Nga Simiona, TJ Apera and Teu Paerau of the Aitutaki team, Sirla Pera and Henry Taripo of the Avatiu team, Joshua Maui of the Dragons, Nigel Hoeflich and Sema Robati of the Arorangi Cowboys and Tave Tereapii of the Takuvaine Reds to name a few.

This high number of talented under 19 players bodes well for the future of rugby in the Cook Islands.

This tournament is also an opportunity for players to play their best game and catch the eyes of the national selectors who are looking for a Cook Islands based sevens team to play against Australia and New Zealand based CI teams.

The three sevens teams will then battle it out in Rarotonga in late September for the final 12-man squad to represent the Cooks at the Oceania Sevens Qualifier to be held in Darwin on October 2-3.

Mini rugby stars kick-off today’s programme at 12 noon with rippa rugby for both boys and girls and all are welcome to take part.

The first sevens quarter final game is due to kick off at 1pm at the Tupapa Park.