The 2024 Cook Islands Rugby Union Tri Nations 15s Competition, featuring Cook Islands Residents, Tokouso (Samoa and Tonga) and Fiji Tabusoro, was launched yesterday.

The representatives from these three teams, as well as the women’s sides, Town and Country, were presented their new team uniforms by Vodafone Cook Islands yesterday.

The Tri Nations 15s Competition kicks off this Saturday with Cook Islands Residents taking on Tabusoro at Raemaru Park in Arorangi.

Cook Islands Rugby Union president Simiona Teiotu says the Tri Nations is another level above the local club competitions.

Teiotu said when they first started this competition five years ago, they didn’t expect it to grow so big.

“I think the players themselves made the event grow. And on the day of the event, you see the country’s pride that will drive and build that capacity and enjoyment on the field. That is the value of World Rugby, the passion of it, the training and respect among each other.”

In thanking Vodafone Cook Islands for the gears, Teiotu said the telecom company had been one of the gold elite sponsors for several years now, both for 15s and 7s.

“The coaches and management of the Tri-series event, management, players, I think we couldn’t ask for more. The colour itself, the material, the design speaks for itself.”

Cook Islands Residents representative William Taripo says the competition is a good way of getting the players together and compete in rugby.

Taripo wished all the teams, managers, coaching and executives the best for this year’s competition.

Okesene Moananu, the coach of defending champions Tokouso, said they began training on Monday.

The tournament has been a good way to continue the fellowship with the players that make up the rugby fraternity in Cook Islands, and Moananu hopes it will continue to develop the game.

Tabusoro Fiji Residents manager Kimi Narovu said the team recently got together for training.

Narovu thanked the sponsors and wished the others teams the very best.

Vodafone Cook Islands’ Bonnie Emile said she had worked in sports sponsorship for about 10 years and had seen the value of what sports can do.

“It’s not just about fitness and health benefits. There are so many things that come from being active in sport. That sense of inclusion, that belonging to your team, to your nation, to your region, leadership opportunities, the sense of responsibility. I see this in all the tournaments,” Emile said.

The representatives from the men’s teams were presented polos, singlets and merchandise alongside the women’s 15s Town and Country teams.

The official merchandise can be purchased at the Punanga Nui Market from today at 10am. Singlets are priced at $40 each and polos at $45 each. Limited stock is available.