Cook Islands Rugby Union development manager Ben Koteka was pleased with the performance of young players at the Raro Rugby 7s tournament over the weekend.

The two-day tournament played at the National Stadium in Nikao saw Tupapa Panthers retain the men’s title and Sydney’s Burraneer Rays claim the women’s title. The Under-16 division was won by New Zealand’s Northland Natives.

Koteka said he was pleased with the performance of U19 players Taio Taio, Alister Newbigging and Albert Etuete. They featured for the Manatoa team comprising of Rarotonga-based national players to the Oceania Championship and Pacific Games.

“That’s what we wanted to see, how these young players feature in a tournament like this.”

Meanwhile Koteka expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the tournament.

“During these challenging times, thank you to the Lord our God for blessing us with great weather for the whole week.

“Thank you to all the teams that turned out. Thank you to our overseas rugby teams/families and their supporters from NZ [Northland ‘Te Tai Tokerau’ Natives – U16 Boys & U18 Girls and the Auckland Referees Paul & Allan] and Sydney/Australia [Burraneer Rays].

“Thank you to all our amazing sponsors: Vodafone Cook Islands, TAU, ANZ Bank, Edgewater Resort & Spa, Island Car & Bike Hire, CIIC, MOC, CI Tourism, CI Health, CI Red Cross, Raro Pass, CI News, CITV, CI Herald, Auckland Rugby Union, Raro XPO, and The Islander. Thank you to all our match officials/administrators, ballboys and to all the wonderful volunteers – who made it all happen.”

Koteka also paid tribute to the coordinators Jessie and Sid Toa and their hard-working team.

Results

Men’s Panthers 35-0 Titikaveka Bulldogs, Mens Avatiu Eels 19-19 Manatoa, U16 Natives 1 WBD TKV Reds, U16 Avatiu Eels 10-15 Natives 2, Mens Manatoa 22-15 Panthers, Mens Titikaveka Bulldogs 45-7 Vilis - Titikaveka Bulls, U16 Natives 1 46-0 Avatiu Eels, Mens Panthers 17-10 Avatiu Eels, Mens Villis - Titikaveka Bulls 5-49 Manatoa, U16 Natives 2 WBD TKV Reds, Mens Avatiu Eels 64-10 Villis - Titikaveka Bulls, Womens Northland Natives 5-41 Burraneer Rays, Mens Manatoa 31-0 Titikaveka Bulldogs, U16 Natives 1            22-0 Natives 2, Womens Northland Natives 29-0 KEWAHS, U16 Avatiu Eels WBD TKV Reds, Mens Titikaveka Bulldogs 0-40 Avatiu Eels, Womens KEWAHS 0-50 Burraneer Rays, Mens Vilis - Titikaveka Bulls 0-54 Panthers, Finals – U16 Natives 1 38-5 Natives 2, Womens Burraneer Rays 22-0 Natives, Mens Manatoa 21-24 Panthers. Overall standings: U16 1st Natives 1, 2nd: Natives 2 and 3rd: Eels, Most Valuable Player (MVP): Ben Love [Natives]; Women 1st: Burraneers, 2nd: Natives and 3rd: KEWAHS, MVP: Shaye Shipton [Burraneers]; Men 1st: Panthers, 2nd: Manatoa, 3rd: Eels. MVP: Brian Akava [Manatoa].