“We are finally here in the Solomons. We’re super excited,” said Cook Islands Rugby League Nines team manager Wallace Aroita.

The 2023 Pacific Games men’s and women’s teams finally arrived in Honiara yesterday afternoon after experiencing flight disruptions from Auckland and missing the Fiji Airways flight from Nadi to Honiara on Wednesday.

They managed to change airlines and transit through Canberra and Brisbane. The team put out a call for financial support after exhausting much of their budget on rebooking flights and accommodation in New Zealand and Fiji.

Aroita expressed gratitude for the warm welcome from his fellow countrymen and women and the support they had received.

Upon arriving at Honiara International Airport, he remarked: “We felt the warmth and love as soon as we got off the plane, and we knew we had reached our intended destination.”

He observed a sense of relief among the players and management.

“Everyone is happy to be here. We’re thrilled to get back to base and meet the rest of our brothers and sisters who will be waiting for us. We’re also excited to be a part of the games and see the Solomon Islands community come out to support us.”