Kia Orana and welcome to all our Rugby 7s families and players.

Kia Orana to the 3 main pillars of our country, our traditional leaders, Ui Arki, Ui Mataiapo, Ui Rangatira, and our respective islands, Matakeinanga, churches across our country and government of today. Thank ma’ata for the support for 2024 Raro 7s.

To all the players, men and women, local and from overseas and your respective management, a special kia orana and meitaki maata to you all.

Kia orana to our sponsors; Vodafone, Edgewater & Resort, Ministry of Culture, Island Car & Bike Hire, Te Aponga Uira, ANZ, plus many other sponsors who are on board to assist and celebrate our 35th anniversary of international rugby 7s on our small paradise, Cook Islands.

The last 35 years of RARO 7s have always been at our doorstep.

Definitely one would not believe how it has come through the many years of waves, wet and windy weather, and the regular cyclone warnings that have occasionally bypassed and sometimes hit us.

Today we have achieved through the many unforeseen challenges which have come through for 35 years of Raro 7s here on Rarotonga.

We must acknowledge many of our local players past and present and those from overseas like; Waisale Serevi, late Jonah Lomu, Eric Rush, Eroni Clarke, Orene Ai’ii, Glen Osbourne, Zar Lawrence, Graeme Bachop and Akira Ioane too.

Our local players still with us today; George George, Henry Iripa, Ben Koteka, Walter Henry, Jeff Karika, Semisi Foliaki, Ngere Tariu [Warrior], Minister of Sports Mac Mokoroa, the Piri brothers – Darren, Terry & Conrad and many more.

I acknowledge the past CIRU Presidents & Executives; Lionel Browne, Amene Rangi, Terry Hagen, Tangata & Nooroa Ina Tou, Phillip Henderson, John Wichman, Chris McKinley, Lara Sadaraka, Moana Moekaa, Sean Smith & Ashleigh Willis.

To our many volunteers working behind the scenes, our ball boys, security, timekeepers and importantly our technical officials and supporting staff.

Our very own Cook Islands Referees past and present, I also want to acknowledge our Auckland Rugby Union Referees Association who have been with us on this journey for the last 20 years – to Paul Val Etten and Allen Kyte who celebrate with us today.  

Our CI Referees main sponsor Cook Islands Building Supplies to Arama & Vaine Wichman and your hardworking staff.

The current CIRU Executive Board in conjunction with Government support and also CISNOC, a big meitaki maata.

I pray to the good Lord to provide us with good weather and exciting times during the next 2 days of Raro 7s. Meitaki ma’ata. 

Fixtures:

Day 1: Nov 8- Friday –gates open from 1pm

3pm: Opening

3.30pm Curtain raiser-U11 Rippa Rugby

4pm: Mens:Bears vs Panthers

4.18pm: Veilomani vs TKV Reds

4.36pm: Eels vs Tabusoro

4.54pm U16 Veilomani Bati vs V/ Drua

5.12pm: Womens: Lady Panthers vs North Shore A

5.30pm: Lady Eels vs Nth Shore B

5.48pm: Mens- Veilomani vs Eels

6.06pm: Tkv Reds vs Panthers

6.24pm: Bears vs Tabusoro

6.42pm: U16 Drua vs Bati

7pm: Lady Panthers vs Lady Eels

7.18pm: Nth Shore A vs Nrth Shore B

7.36pm: TKV Reds vs Eels

7.54pm: Men’s Bears vs Veilomani

8.12pm: Panthers vs Tabusoro

Day 2: Nov 8 Saturday

4pm: Mens- Eels vs Panthers

4.18pm: Tabusoro vs Veilomani

4.36pm: TKV reds vs Bears

4.54pm: U16 Drua vs Bati

5.12pm: Lady Eels vs Nth Shore

5.30pm: Lady Panthers vs Nth Shore

5.48pm: Tabusoro vs TKV Reds

6.06pm: Panthers vs Veilomani

6.24pm: Eels vs Bears.

7pm: U16 Drua vs Bati

7.20pm: Womens Final 3^rd vs 4^th

7.40pm: Mens Final 4th vs 3^rd

8pm: Womens Final 1^st vs 2^nd

8.20pm: Mens Final 1^st vs 2^nd