7s players on parade

Rugby sevens supporters lined the main street in Avarua yesterday to get a glimpse of local and international sevens stars contesting the International Sevens in Heaven Tournament.

The 16 men’s team strutted their stuff through town to cheers of support from bystanders.

The teams were welcomed to ‘heaven’ by Prime Minister Henry Puna.

“Welcome to heaven. We have also organised heavenly weather for you,” said Puna.

Puna paid special homage to local players and teams for stepping up and flying the local flag.

He added that the game of rugby sevens had become an important part of the Cook Islands community.

Puna declared the event open before young Mikaele Rabukaloka of the Shuzi Flying Dragons proved to have the fastest pins to win the ANZ charity dash for cash. The first games of the three-day tournament got underway last night.