My name is Maia Samuela, and I am the President of Cook Islands Rugby New Zealand (CIRNZ). I am writing in response to the article published on November 15, 2024, regarding the upcoming Oceania 7s tournament.

I must express my disappointment with the comments made about the New Zealand-based representatives in the tournament. 

Allow me to address some key points raised in the article: 

1. Selection Process for the Men’s Team: It was communicated to my team that local players were preferred for the Men’s team, effectively disregarding the dedication and efforts of our core players over the last two years. There has been a lack of consistency and transparency in the selection process, with little to no communication until it is too late. This leaves our players feeling unsupported and undervalued. How can we expect them to stay motivated under such circumstances? I would never subject my players to this level of uncertainty. 

2. Commitment to Representing the Cook Islands: The article claims that our players do not want to represent the Cook Islands. However, this is not accurate. If you look deeper, you will find that every one of our players is eager to represent the Cook Islands. In 2022, just two weeks before the Oceania tournament, CIRU requested CIRNZ to send two teams without financial backing and a team. Opura and I worked tirelessly to secure funding, coaches, managers, physiotherapists, and players who were committed to the cause. The majority of the team were from New Zealand, with a few from Australia, and while we reached out to additional players, only three could commit from home. Despite facing backlash locally, we stood by our players and our mission. A little more investigation would have revealed the truth behind this situation. 

3. Eligibility of Players: The article also questioned the authenticity of our players’ Cook Islands heritage. Let me be clear: CIRNZ adheres strictly to World Rugby’s eligibility rules.  Every player who represents CIRNZ is of Cook Islands descent. Our coaches and   managers are either Cook Islanders or married to Cook Islanders with Cook Islands children. We have always ensured that our players meet the necessary requirements. Last year, our Men’s team toured Rarotonga to play the local team, and all players in that team were Cook Islanders. The local teams they played against included both Cook Islanders and non-Cook Islanders. I urge you to refrain from spreading baseless information. In fact, I would argue that non-Cook Islanders have more opportunities to be considered than our own players. I would also argue that non-Cook Islands players come from there. 

4. Work and Personal Commitments: I understand the challenges our players face with balancing work and personal commitments. To manage this, proper planning and communication are essential. The current system does not provide sufficient notice for players to prepare for such important events. It is unreasonable to inform players that they won’t be considered and that the tournament has been cancelled, only to call them up two months before the event. This leaves little time for preparation. Additionally, Oceania is just one of many goals our players pursue. Many of them also participated in the CI Games and the Tahiti 7s, which shows their commitment to rugby. Expecting players to be on standby with little notice is not realistic.

A Call for Unity: The world is advancing, and so are our Pasifika brothers and sisters.  Unfortunately, we are still caught up in divisive debates about who is "more Cook Islander” and it’s holding us back. Where someone resides does not waive their right to represent the Cook Islands and or diminish their connection to their homeland, and living there does not make you more deserving. 

We have always promoted and supported local players, by including them in our development programs and the tournaments here. To give them the experience and exposure they deserve.  We have always extended invitations to local players and coaches to join our teams because we recognise the need to develop them in a more competitive environment. 

Every program we deliver to our teams are funded by us. We’ve had no financial backing from CIRU. Every player that come from Raro we welcome wholeheartedly, at our cost. It is a shame that our NZ based players aren’t treated the same. 

Lastly, I would like to congratulate Clive on being appointed the Coach of the Men’s team, and CIRNZ fully supports him in this role. I would also like to acknowledge Koiatu Koiatu for stepping into the role of Women's Coach this year, after previously coaching the Men’s team in 2022. Not forgetting the Managers who do all the work in player’s selections and ensuring the paperwork necessary for the tour is acquired and submitted. Congratulations to those who made the team, and I wish everyone the best in their journey. 

Kia Orana, 

Maia Samuela 

President, Cook Islands Rugby New Zealand (CIRNZ)

Note: Cook Islands 7’s management were approached for comment, but will respond after the Oceania tournament in the Solomon Islands.