League
Glenn loves Kukis experience
Tuesday 9 May 2017 | Published in League
Cook Islands skipper Alex Glenn has played in some big matches over the years, but none compared to the cultural significance of Friday night’s Pacific Test against Papua New Guinea.
Eels win minor premiership title
Monday 8 May 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
One down, one to go.
Kukis outclassed by PNG Kumuls
Monday 8 May 2017 | Published in League
A double to PNG fullback Stargroth Amean proved the difference as the Kumuls edged a spirited Cook Islands side 32-22 in the opening match of the Pacific Test triple-header at Campbelltown Stadium on Friday.
Five pointers from Pacific Test
Monday 8 May 2017 | Published in League
England send an early World Cup warning with a strong performance, a veteran turns back the clock, while a trio of fullbacks light up Campbelltown Stadium.
Do-or-die in league final round
Monday 8 May 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Explosive battles are expected in the premier grade at The Swamp and Teimurimotia Park today.
A win for captain courageous
Monday 8 May 2017 | Published in League
The Kangaroos have celebrated Cameron Smith’s 50th match in green and gold with a crushing 30-12 win over a Kiwis side that had been described pre-game as one of the best New Zealand squads of all time. Australia’s methodical dismantling of the second-best team on the planet is an ominous warning to their rivals ahead of this year’s World Cup. The win – their 100th over New Zealand – might have come at a cost with centre Josh Dugan taken to hospital for scans on a possible facial fracture after a sickening head clash with Russell Packer midway through the second half. It was a night of missed opportunities for the Kiwis who ran for more metres than their opposition but were left to rue several poor options in attack on a chilly night in the nation’s capital. New Zealand had all the early running and had several opportunities to pin the Kangaroos deep in their own end, but Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and then Jordan Rapana sent two attacking kicks dead in the first seven minutes to let Australia off the hook. It’s those minor mistakes that have hurt the Kiwis on the international stage and Australia showed them how it’s done with Cooper Cronk and Valentine Holmes procuring repeat sets, before Johnathan Thurston’s pinpoint kick found a flying Dugan for the first points of the night. An Andrew Fifita error from the kick-off opened the door for an immediate reply, and while Shaun Johnson managed to force a line dropout with an angled grubber, the Kiwis halfback went from hero to villain in the space of 60 seconds as his cut-out pass was intercepted by Blake Ferguson who raced 95 metres to extend the lead. Despite the early setbacks, the visitors maintained their territorial dominance but were denied twice on consecutive plays when Tuivasa-Sheck was held up and then Rapana had his effort rubbed out for a forward pass. They would prove to be costly misses as the Kangaroos marched downfield on the back of a big break by Sam Thaiday whose bullocking run allowed Will Chambers to take advantage of a scattered defensive line to score a simple try out of dummy-half. A fourth try looked imminent when Matt Gillett broke through some flimsy defence and found a seemingly unmarked Ferguson on his outside in support, but some desperate defence forced the winger into touch. There would be no denying the Aussies however as the Kangaroos extended the margin four minutes before the break when Tyson Frizell reacted first to a Thurston grubber that ricocheted off the posts and sat up for the big man to score. The Kangaroos picked up from where they left off with tackling machine Jake Trbojevic crashing over four minutes into the second half to push the lead out to 30. Australia’s brick wall defensive line was finally breached in the 56th minute when veteran Simon Mannering marked his return to the national side with a try to get his side on the board. A typically tireless tackle by Mannering then forced Ferguson into touch five metres out from his own line, and from the ensuing scrum, Tuivasa-Sheck showed enough speed to get on the outside of Thurston to cross for his 10th Test try. - NRL.com Kangaroos 30 (Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Will Chambers, Tyson Frizell, Jake Trbojevic tries; Johnathan Thurston 5 goals) def. Kiwis 12 (Simon Mannering, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck tries; Jordan Kahu 2 goals) at GIO Stadium. Half-time: 24-0. Crowd: 18,535.
Kukis all set to face PNG
Friday 5 May 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
The Cook Islands rugby league side is all set to battle the Papua New Guinea Kumuls in the Pacific Test tonight at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
PNG expect fired up Kukis
Friday 5 May 2017 | Published in League
Papua New Guinea back-rower Rhyse Martin expects a fired-up Cook Islands outfit after the minnow nation missed qualification for the upcoming 2017 Rugby League World Cup in October last year.
Rapana makes cut for Kiwis squad
Tuesday 2 May 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Cook Islander Jordan Rapana has been named in the Kiwis squad to take on the Kangaroos on Thursday’s Anzac Test in Canberra, Australia.
Glenn to lead Kukis in Pacific Test
Tuesday 2 May 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Brisbane Broncos forward Alex Glenn will make his return in the Kukis jumper when he leads the national rugby league side in the Pacific Test match against Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls this week.
Eels go to top of the table
Monday 1 May 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Avatiu Nikao Eels survived a late surge from Titikaveka Bulldogs to go top of the table in the Cook Islands rugby league club competition.
Kuki youngster impresses for Warriors
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in League
Warriors rookie Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad shocked Stephen Kearney with how good he was.
Eels, Bulldogs to fight for top spot
Monday 1 May 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
It will be another big week in the Cook Islands Rugby League Association club competition today.
Big NRL influence in Kumuls for Kukis clash
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in League
Michael Marum’s Kumuls side to line-up against Cook Islands in the Pacific Test next week is set to have a heavy NRL influence, with a host of elite stars to be named for Papua New Guinea.
Sea Eagles to take on the Sharks
Friday 28 April 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Ngatangiia/Matavera Sea Eagles face another do-or-die encounter against Aitutaki Sharks this afternoon at Nukupure Park.
Kukis aim for Nines Champs
Thursday 27 April 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Cook Islands Rugby League Association (CIRLA) is hoping to gain participation in the second Commonwealth Nines Championship which will be held in Australia next year.
Eels dig deep to beat Panthers
Tuesday 25 April 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Defending champions Avatiu Nikao Eels had to put their bodies on the line to defend the last-gasp effort from the Tupapa Panthers in a thrilling league match on Saturday at The Swamp.
Do-or-die for Eels, Panthers
Tuesday 25 April 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
In a battle for the top place in the premier league competition, defending champions Avatiu Nikao Eels are set for a titanic tussle against the Tupapa Panthers at The Swamp today.
Three-way battle to be minor premiers
Friday 21 April 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
A thrilling three rounds of matches remain before the winner of the minor premiership in the 2017 domestic rugby league competition will be decided.
