Cook Islands squad loses first game

Despite fielding talented young debutants at the Hertz Sevens in Wellington – the inexperienced Cook Islands sevens squad was stormed by England 27-12 in the Cooks first pool play match at the World Series tournament.

Within the first minute of the match, England asserted their dominance to dot down for the first try of the match.

Two minutes later England were over the chalk again for their second try with the third coming just before the half time hooter giving England a comfortable 17-0 lead heading into the second spell.

England exploited the Cooks’ weak defence and was more urgent at the breakdown recycling the ball quickly and efficiently.

Cooks head coach Ramsey Tomokino urged his young team to be quicker on both attack and defence.

“You’ve got to be a lot quicker boys,” he told his young charges.

In the first half – the Cooks only completed 9 passes to England’s 21 and missed 6 tackles compared to England who hadn’t missed a tackle.

Back in the second spell the Cook Islands defence held for three minutes before England broke through to score and extend their lead to 22-0.

Desperate play saw the Cook Islands scramble the ball out wide and with ball in hand – debutant Arthur Mui stormed his way to the try line swiping away a would be English tackle to dot down for his first international try to put the Cooks on the scoreboard 22-5.

The try only fired up the English players who regrouped and hit back with a try of their own to further extend their lead to 27-5.

In overtime the Cook Islands managed a scramble attack which resulted in a beautiful try by Sean Fletcher and converted by veteran Koiatu Koiatu ending the game 27-12 to England.

Sole Rarotonga based player Kairan Maihia had some shaky moments but as the game wore on the young Tupapa star seemed to find his feet.

The Cooks also faced South Africa and USA in pool play yesterday and will return to the field today for the second day of the Wellington tournament.