All Black Jerome Kaino on the rock

Rugby World Cup fever is set to rock the island again next week when All Blacks and Blues flanker Jerome Kaino and the Webb Ellis Cup touch down on Sunday for a whirlwind visit.

The Webb Ellis Cup has been arranged to tour Rarotonga at the same time as the FORU (Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions) annual general meeting running from Monday April 30 to May 2.

Due to a shoulder injury, Kaino is available to not only be here with the World Cup the All Blacks won last year, but also to be the guest speaker of the 2011 CISNOC Sports Awards which will be held on Wednesday, May 2, at the Edgewater Resort and Spa in Arorangi.

Cook Islands Rugby Union chief executive officer Chris McKinley says they are so proud to be able to, with the assistance of New Zealand High Commissioner John Carter, bring one of the world’s most respected sports trophies to the Cook Islands.

Kaino, who played in every All Blacks game at the world cup, is expected to escort the Webb Ellis Cup during the parade on May 2 through Avarua and meet and greet with fans afterwards.

McKinley is encouraging local rugby fans to come out and show support for the historic event which will be televised nationally across New Zealand.

“We would love everyone to come out of the woodworks and come on board and support this fantastic event,” encourages McKinley.

This could be your only chance to see the Cup and meet one of the stars that won the iconic trophy.

Later on after the parade – Kaino will take centre stage at the Edgewater Resort and Spa as presenter of the CISNOC Sports Awards.

CISNOC sports manager Robert Graham says that there are only 200 tickets for the sports awards and those wanting to be part of the interactive night with Kaino and celebrate our own sports stars must get in early as the $50 seats are expected to sell out quickly.

Tickets for the sports awards go on sale today and can be bought at the CISNOC office in Taputapuatea.

Graham says that unlike past sports awards event where the guest speaker delivers a speech – this year they are changing things up a bit where there will be a question and answer session for Kaino put to him by a guest presenter yet to be confirmed.

Graham adds that the night will be a fun casual evening where local sports stars will be honoured in style with Kaino there to inspire future sports champions.

So put next Wednesday in your dairy for the World Cup Parade from 4pm to 6pm and the annual CISNOC Sports Awards afterwards.