Two of the dark horses in the Cook Islands Rugby League Nines in Paradise tournament are hoping to give big guns in the men’s competition a good run for their money this weekend.

The three-day tournament which kicks off this afternoon at 3pm at the National Stadium in Nikao, will feature nine men’s team, five women’s and four teams in Under-18 division. There will be also exhibition matches between the women’s development teams Maine Tueporo White and Maine Tueporo Black.

Defending men’s champions, the Avatiu Eels, lead Pool A, which consists of the Ngatangiia/Matavera Sea Eagles, the Arorangi Bears, the TKV (Takuvaine) Warriors and New Zealand-based Ngati Umutahi. Pool B has Tupapa Panthers, Titikaveka Bulldogs, Nikao Roosters and NZ-based Tokoroa Pacific Sharks.

Nikao Roosters, making their debut at the League Nines in Paradise tournament, and TKV Warriors, returning after a lapse of several years, are hoping to give the seasoned clubs a tough competition.

Roosters player Daniel Ahau said they struggled to get the players in the past two to three weeks but managed to get a decent number during training this week.

“Look I wouldn’t lie, we probably struggled for the last two to three weeks, probably getting four to five players turning up at a time. We are not off to a good start but I know the boys will turn up and I think that is the main thing, as long as we keep turning up for each other we should be alright,” Ahau said.

“I think end of December going into January is always a hard time to try and get people to come to training. It’s the festive season and people want to be with their families and friends.

“We have struggled in regards to player availability around these times but it’s good to see everybody turning up (this week). It’s a step in the right direction for us.”

Ahau, who is returning to the field after a hiatus, expressed excitement about running out again and playing with his new teammates in the Roosters outfit.

“I haven’t played in a while, hopefully I can shake off all the cobwebs and get out there and keep turning up for these boys.”

Former national rep Walter “Wally” Tangata is coaching the Nikao Roosters side.

The resurgent TKV Warriors are another team to watch this weekend. Absent from domestic competition for the past few years, they are back and ready to make their mark at the Nines tournament.

Warriors player Perry Ioane said they have been training for over a month and are looking forward to representing Takuvaine with pride.

Ioane said they have several new faces in the team, including in management, and they were excited about the opportunity to represent their village at the annual event.

Club manager Maria Ioane called on all TKV supporters to turn out in large numbers to support their side at the tournament this weekend.

Pools

Men’s: Pool A – Avatiu Eels, Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles, Arorangi Bears, TKV Warriors, Ngati Umutahi. Pool B – Tupapa Panthers, Titikaveka Bulldogs, Nikao Roosters, Tokoroa Pacific Sharks.

Women’s Division – Raukawa Kuki’s, Lady Bears, Lady Panthers, Vaine Toa, Ngati Umutahi.

Under 18s Division – Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles, TKV Warriors, Titikaveka Bulldogs, Avatiu Eels.

Women’s Development – Maine Tueporo White, Maine Tueporo Black.

Fixtures

Thursday – 3pm Exhibition Maine Tueporo Black V Maine Tueporo White A, 3.20pm Womens Lady Panthers V Raukawa Kuki’s, 3.40pm Womens Vaine Toa V Ngati Umutahi, 4.00pm Mens A Avatiu Eels V TKV Warriors, 4.20pm Mens A Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles V Arorangi Bears, 4.40pm Mens B Titikaveka Bulldogs V Tupapa Panthers, 5.00pm Mens B Nikao Roosters V Tokoroa Pacific Sharks, 5.20pm U18 TKV Warriors V Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles, 5.40pm U18 Titikaveka Bulldogs V Avatiu Eels, 6.00pm Womens Raukawa Kuki's V Vaine Toa, 6.20pm Womens Lady Bears V Lady Panthers, 6.40pm Mens A Arorangi Bears V Avatiu  Eels, 7.00pm Mens A TKV Warriors V Ngati Umutahi, 7.20pm Mens B Tokoroa Pacific Sharks V Titikaveka Bulldogs.

Friday – 3.00pm Exhibition Maine Tueporo Black V Maine Tueporo White, 3.20pm U18 Avatiu Eels V Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles, 3.40pm U18 TKV Warriors V Titikaveka Bulldogs, 4.00pm Womens Lady Bears V Ngati Umutahi, 4.20pm Womens Lady Panthers V Vaine Toa, 4.40pm Mens A Ngati Umutahi V Arorangi Bears, 5.00pm Mens A Avatiu Eels V Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles, 5.20pm Mens B Tokoroa Pacific Sharks V Tupapa Panthers, 5.40pm U18 Avatiu Eels V TKV Warriors, 6.00pm U18 Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles V Titikaveka Bulldogs, 6.20pm Womens Ngati Umutahi V Lady Panthers, 6.40pm Womens Raukawa Kuki's V Lady Bears, 7.00pm Mens A Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles V Ngati Umutahi, 7.20pm Mens A Arorangi Bears V TKV Warriors, 7.40pm Mens B Tupapa Panthers V Nikao Roosters.

Saturday – 2.00pm Mens A TKV Warriors V Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles, 2.20pm Mens A Ngati Umutahi V Avatiu Eels, 2.40pm Mens B Titikaveka Bulldogs V Nikao Roosters, 3.00pm Womens Vaine Toa V Lady Bears, 3.20pm Womens Ngati Umutahi V Raukawa Kuki’s, 3.40pm Mens Semis 1st Place Pool A V 2nd Place Pool B, 4.00pm Mens Semis 2nd Place Pool A V 1st Place Pool A, 4.20pm U18 Finals U18's 3rd Placing V U18's 4th Placing, 4.40pm U18 Finals U18's 1st Placing V U18's 2nd Placing, 5.00pm Exhibition Finals Maine Tueporo Black V Maine Tueporo White, 5.20pm Womens Finals Women's 3rd Placing V Women's 4th Placing, 5.40pm Womens Finals Women's 1st Placing V Women's 2nd Placing, 6.00pm Mens Finals Men's Looser Game 35 V Men's Looser Game 36, 6.20pm Mens Finals Men's Winner Game 35 V Men's Winner Game 36, 6.40pm Presentation Of Trophies and Awards.