Cook Islands halfback Tevin Arona has been cleared of a spinal fracture after being injured in the opening set of tackles in the Pacific Championships clash with Papua New Guinea.

Arona, who plays for Auckland Vulcans in New Zealand, was stretchered from Santos National Football Stadium in a neck brace and medical staff kept him immobilised while they assessed his condition.

He was later taken to Port Moresby International Hospital for precautionary scans and is reported to have suffered a facial fracture in the incident.

Cook Islands prop Makahesi Makatao played just five minutes of the match before he was forced off with a suspected pectoral injury.

Cook Islands Aitu made a losing start to their Pacific Championships campaign going down to Papua New Guinea Kumuls 10-46 on Saturday night (Cook Islands time).

The Kumuls led 30-0 at the break.

The Karmichael Hunt-coached Cook Islands side showed vast improvement in the second half to leak only 16 points, while Esom Ioka and Steven Marsters restored some pride with four-pointers of their own, which importantly also improved the differential outcome for their side. 

Cook Islands Aitu will play Fiji Bati in their second match this Saturday at the Santos National Football Stadium in Poer Moresby. The match will be Fiji Bati’s first clash in the championships.

The Cook Islands Vaine Moana (women’s side) will play their lone match against Papua New Guinea Orchids before the Aitu versus the Bati clash on Saturday.

• NRL.com

Cook Islands Aitu squad: Tevin Arona, Rhys Dakin, Esom Ioka, Kadiyae Ioka, Kayal Iro, Makahesi Makatoa, Justin Estall-Makirere, Steven Marsters, Esan Marsters, Alvin Maungaati, Davvy Moale, Takai Mokohar, Malachi Morgan, Rua Ngatikaura, Pride Pettersen-Robati, Lucky Pokipoki, Reuben Porter, William Samuel, Brad Takairangi, Zane Tetevano, Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano.

Cook Islands Vaine Moana – Ngatokotoru Arakua, Kaiyah Atai, Rangi Aukino*, Chantelle Holloway-Samuels*, Jodeci Joseph, Annemarie Kiria-Ratu*, Chantay Kiria-Ratu, Lavinia Kitai, Tiana Kore, Chelsea Makira*, Kerehitina Matua, Paulina Morris-Ponga*, Ariel Ngatokorua, Mahinaarangi Rewi, Anneka Stephens, Kiana Sword-Tua*, Kiana Takairangi, Crystal Tamarua, Jazmon Tupou-Witchman, Lydia Turua-Quedley, Alesha Willcox*. * Denotes debut