Cook Islands rugby league legend Kevin Iro will be coaching a Rarotonga-based team that will play the visiting Australian-based Kurnell Stingrays this month.

Francis Toa, Cook Islands Rugby League Association secretary, has requested that the youngsters named in the squad report to training at the Nikao field today (Tuesday) and Thursday from 3pm to 4pm.

The players listed in the squad are Tehoa Samuel, Kaleb Iro, Kaena Short, Nyah Ratumu, Troy Tauraa, Tarita Raumea, Dominic Akava, Kahn Manu, Tinokura Wong, Mana Tararo, Dallas Aukino, Arera Tupa, Leroy Matapo, Te-King Kae, Temana Paiti, AJ Jones, Treyvon Kae, Viliame Maisema, Henry-Michael Williams, Esther Ravuaceva, Iwi Toom, and CJ Rairoa.

“We are asking if parents can please make the effort to bring their kids to training for this great opportunity to play in rugby league.”

The Rarotonga Under-12 side will be playing an invitational match against the Kurnell Stingrays on September 21 as a curtain raiser to the final Cook Islands Rugby Union Tri Nations Series clash between the Cook Islands Residents and Tokouso at Nukupure Park in Ngatangiia.

“The Kurnell Stingrays travelling team which is being headed by former Cook Islands league representative Ioane Ioane and his wife Cassie Ioane are currently on the island preparing for the rest of the team that arrives on the 20^th of September,” Toa said.

She said the visitors have been fundraising since the beginning of the year to make this trip a reality.

“The team will play one game in Rarotonga before travelling to Aitutaki where they will play a game there as well.”

Toa also said that the Kurnell Stingrays have collected donations from their local community in Australia to donate to our local Cook Islands teams, both on Rarotonga and Aitutaki, to help boost the league season next year.

“The purpose of the trip is not only to share skills and knowledge in rugby league, but to also experience the Cook Islands, its people and its culture,” she added.