On a wet Saturday afternoon at Avatiu Field, a 40 metre penalty goal kicked right on the fulltime hooter by Cook Islands Residents (CIR) utility back Daniel Toa, allowed the team to draw 11- all against Tokouso (Samoa/Tonga) in the first match of the 2023 Vodafone – Tri Nations 15s series.

Straight from the kick-off and in the 2nd minute of play, Tokouso got off to a great start with a ‘pick and go’ try to their lively hooker Fa’afoi Lualua. 

Shortly afterwards CIR first 5/8 Te-Ara Henderson responded by kicking a penalty goal handy to the posts.

Just before the halftime break Tokouso’s first 5/8 Viiga Ruepena kicked a nicely timed drop-goal to bring the halftime score to Tokouso 8 – 3 CIR.

In the second half both teams tried to play expansive rugby but dropping the ball at crucial times did not help their efforts.

Best players for Tokouso were the energetic front rowers Fa’afoi and Lua Trood and their mastermind first 5/8 Ruepena.

The best players for the CIR team were: number 8 Teariki Nicholas, Loosehead prop Toru Katuke and midfielder Tama Nicholas. 

Cook Islands Residents: Score 1; Try - Toru Katuke; Penalty - Te-Ara Henderson and Daniel Toa. Tokouso: Score 11; Try - Faafoi Lualua;   Penalty - Viiga Ruepena (2).

This Saturday 16 September at Aretere Park, Avatiu, the second Vodafone – Tri Nations 15s series match will be played between Tokouso vs Tabusoro (Fiji) at 4pm.