Former Cook Islands rugby star and legend, the General, George George says in the past 35 years players have come out of the Raro 7s tournament pursuing rugby careers internationally.

George said he is proud of this fact and can be proud to say that, “I guess for us Cook Islanders, it didn't matter whether it was us Cook Island boys that are playing in teams in New Zealand because of what Sevens rugby had started in their career.

“But it's also to see players that have come from New Zealand, with the likes of the late Jonah Lomu and others and even from Fiji.

“Even from Fiji, my good friend Serevi (Waisale) and others, they ended up being superstars, in their own rights.

“But I guess we were like a foundation of these young ones coming in and to be seen as future star players,” he said.

Advice to players: “rugby sevens is a very tough game. It's a game, you don't just, and all of a sudden think you're going to go play sevens tomorrow. But you've got to be, not fit, you've got to be super fit to play this game in order for you to enjoy it. Otherwise it's going to punish you on the field.”

“That's right. That's why when you see Fijians, they're super fit. That's why they don't stop playing.

“But yeah, good luck to the teams that are playing. I know I'll be commentating on the finals.”