The mostly-newbie team of Sea Eagles from Ngatangiia/Matavera remains optimistic about their next game despite losing to the Tupapa Panthers 28-12 in round one of the Cook Islands Rugby League’s (CIRL) domestic 13s competition.

Held at Nukupure Park on Saturday, the men’s premiership clash saw the Panthers leading from the start.

Daena Kataina, manager of the Sea Eagles, said this was just the beginning, and lessons were learned from it to improve for what is to come.

“It was actually really good,” she said. “We had a lot of young players, we got three debuts, new team, so (Saturday’s) game is going to help us set the platform for the rest of the season especially taking it game by game but otherwise, despite the results, it was an awesome game.”

“We know what we’re going to work on for the next game.”

According to Kataina, they will be looking at their defence, focus on discipline, and other areas.

The team has been working together for about three to four weeks building on their combination and set pieces.

They started slow and each week, the numbers started coming through with Kataina acknowledging the players for putting their hands up to represent the team.

She also thanked their supporters and community who had come out to support them, not only physically but also mentally, adding that they have more faith in the team despite results.

Sea Eagles captain Junior Kirikava said that one of the areas they will need to work on is fitness in preparation for their next game.

“Big ups to our boys, we made up a team, and it’s good to have a run with Tupapa. I know it didn’t come our way but it’s something for us to work on for next week Tuesday (today) and of course for the future of the game,” he said.

Panthers captain Eric Newbigging said that although it was the first game of the season and they had won, it was still a bit scrappy, but they would work harder for the rest of the season.

“It’s the first game of the season so we’re going to work on the (weaknesses this) week with our training,” Newbigging said.

“We started training in November (2024) but it was still slow because everyone was on holiday and it was hard to get everyone together.

“Everyone is lazy and we need to work on our fitness as well, those are the areas we’re going to work on.”

Newbigging acknowledged the Sea Eagles for what he described, “a tough match”.

The Panthers have two import players from Fiji while the rest are based locally.

In the other premier men’s matches last week, Titikaveka Bulldogs shocked Arorangi Bears 22-20 on Friday and defending champions Avatiu Nikao Eels thumped Takuvaine (TKV) Warriors 60-4 on Saturday.