Cook Islands Sevens men’s team carries the hopes of the nation as they head into the Oceania Rugby tournament determined to make their mark on the regional stage.

The Clive Nicholas-led team that has been training intensively since the conclusion of the Cook Islands Games, departed for Honiara, Solomon Islands on Wednesday morning for the Oceania tournament.

Despite limited time in preparation and the challenges they faced, the team has strengthened its unity through resilience and a shared spiritual connection, which has been the foundation of their journey.

“The bodies are sore, but the spirit within the team is high. They are ready to put out a performance everybody can be proud of,” said team manager Simon Iopu.

Speaking to Cook Islands News, Iopu highlighted the hurdles the team faced, including the late confirmation of the tournament and challenges with player availability.

“We’ve been working pretty hard for the past six weeks. It’s been a very short window. Oceania Rugby kept changing the status of the tournament—it was on, then off, and now it’s back on,” Iopu said.

The team initially struggled to secure players due to work and family commitments, injuries, and eligibility issues.

"We had something like 16 pull-outs from New Zealand alone. Some players couldn’t prove their eligibility, while others had other obligations. It’s been a challenging process, but we’ve learnt to keep going and adjust as needed," Iopu explained.

Despite these difficulties, Iopu said the team’s spiritual alignment has been in transformative force.

“The connection to our Heavenly Father has been the biggest part of this shift. It’s brought so much alignment and buy-in from the players, leadership, and supporters.”

The commitment of the players and coaching staff has been evident, with training sessions beginning as early as 6am. Iopu praised head coach Clive Nicholas for his dedication and innovative approach.

“Clive has been brilliant. He’s a self-learner who constantly adapts and improves. He’s also highly respectful and embodies the Cook Islands spirit. His ability to connect spiritually with the team has been pivotal,” said Iopu.

The team’s spiritual journey is also reflected in their emblem, which now features the Holy Spirit and a cross.

“It’s a symbol of our values and the alignment we’ve built within the team,” Iopu said.

Iopu also acknowledged the tremendous support from families, sponsors, and the community.

“We’ve had people providing free resources to help us succeed. It’s been amazing to see everyone come together for this cause.”

Team captain, Robert, exemplifies this commitment. “Robert’s juggling so much—a new-born, his role as a head civil engineer, and his responsibilities to the team. His sacrifices, and those of his family, are inspiring,” Iopu said.

Prior to their departure, the team were presented their uniform in an official presentation held on Tuesday at the Minister of Sports’ office, Vaine ‘Mac’ Mokoroa.

In October, Nicholas selected his training squad for the 2024 Oceania Rugby 7s Championship this month.

The 20-member training squad were selected following the Cook Islands Games 7s tournament.