Avatiu, Cowboys square off in age-grade finals

Wednesday 26: The Cook Islands Rugby Union finals will be played at Ngatangiia (Muri) this weekend.

As a buildup to the finals, we feature the under 13 and under 15 grades which will be played between Avatiu and the Arorangi Cowboys.

During the round competition, the Arorangi Cowboys rugby under 13 team’s statistics are as follows. Played 6, won 6. Points for: 228, points against: 0!

With stats like this they thoroughly deserve the team of the year award. Leading players for the Cowboys have been loose forwards O’Neil Rongo and Jordan Metuariki complemented by fleet-footed backs Helsam Rongo and Dennis Rangi.

Avatiu on the other hand have had a mixed bag winning 4 of their 6 matches this season and deserve to be in the finals.

For Avatiu watch-out for try-scoring number 8 Christian Toa and nippy fullback Ben Unuia.

The Cowboys have been unstoppable this year and have comfortably defeated Avatiu on both occasions, both times with scores in the 20s.

But remember folks it is grand final time and this is where it counts. No pressure on the Cowboys but let’s hope you are able to ‘bring home the bacon’…..yeeha!

Team lists

U13 Avatiu: Ben Unuia, Rechimyer Rairoa, Papa Joe, Brayden Kamana, Thomas Potoru, Jason Potoru, Christian Toa, Arama Henry, Peter Numanga, Rouru Teiotu, Jeronia Rongo, Thomas Beniamina, Taio Arakua, Charlie Naia, Treajel Marsters, Delmate Marsters, Tutai Taurarii, Morgan Wichman. Coach -- Albert Nicholas Snr

U13 Arorangi Cowboys: Travis Makirere, Matangaro Ioane, Cain Warren, Dennis Heather, Nuka Mokoroa, Thomas Vinsen, Jordan Metuariki, O’Neal Rongo, Benjamin Heather, Jojo Karati, Dwayne Taio, Helshom Teiti, Dennis Rangi, Ngatuaine Jessie, Fortes Anthony, Stephanie Nooroa, Liam McFarlane, Tokerau Wichman, Noah Samuel, Kimiora Tuakeu, Albert Taru, Jarvis Aperau. Coach -- Lara Sadaraka, manager – Poko Rongo.

In the under 15s, Avatiu has been the form team in this grade, winning all eleven of their Saturday matches (apart from the Coca-Cola midweek trophy – but that’s another story). The Cowboys on the other-hand after a slow-start but under the guidance of coach Robert Heather Snr they are finally starting to play to their potential at the right-end of the season. Both matches against Avatiu have been very close encounters, Avatiu winning by close margins; 5-0 and 12-5.

Players to watch: from Avatiu – skilled inside backs Basil Matapo and Stanley Tobia and for the Cowboys look for strong-running centres Robert Heather Jnr and his cousin Arii Heather.

Team lists.

Under 15 Arorangi Cowboys: Andre Iro, Yves Obeda, Aumata Heather, O’Neal Rongo, Manu Heather, Andrew Remuera, Tokoa Karati, Calais Mamanu, Tiaan Mataroa, Rory Ngaata, Tokoa Mataio, Dennis Rangi, Robert Heather Jnr, Helsam Teiti, Arii Heather, Travis Makirere. Coach – Robert Heather Snr, manager – Titi George.

U15 Avatiu: Jaemal Pakitoa, Gene Heather, Zeru Pera, Tuaine Unuia, Petero Teio, Mike Mouauri, Irangi Mauri, Kane Rima, Maselo Rairoa, Basil Matapo, Arama Bishop, Stanley Tobia (vc), Nigel Hoeflich, Rauti Ellison, Anthony Turua Jnr, Christian Toa, Mike Tutaka, Nane Ngaia, William Browne, Richie Ponini, Tama Nicholas, T J Marsters. Coach

Enua Pakitoa, manager – Joseph Pakitoa.

The draw for this weekend is as follows.

Friday 28 August: 4.30pm senior B: Arorangi vs Titikaveka.

Saturday 29 August: 11am U9-U11 Cowboys vs Tupapa/Ngatangiia; 12pm U13 Arorangi vs Avatiu; 12.40pm U15 Arorangi v`s Avatiu; 1.30pm U17 Takuvaine vs Tupapa; 2.30pm U19 Ngatangiia-Matavera vs Tupapa; 3.50pm senior A Arorangi vs Avatiu. - Ruck and Maul