Good start for 7s

The Cook Islands rugby sevens team made their mark at the Fiji rugby sevens Tailevu tournament in New Zealand at the weekend by reaching the cup grand finals.

Cook Islands played five games in total and emerged injury free and second overall after a heavy 32-17 defeat by eventual tournament winners the Saints.

The Saints are the former Borneo Eagles sevens side that took out the Darwin sevens tournament recently after disposing of Fiji in the semi finals of the tournament.

The tournament, held at the Waitemata Rugby Grounds, served its purpose as the Cook Islands team’s first hit out before the Wellington Sevens tournament this coming weekend.

And after their five-game tournament, the team is injury free and in good spirits after the tournament.

Outstanding at the Tailevu tournament for the Cooks team were prop Sailosi Nagi and outside back Nathan Robinson.

The team arrived in Wellington at midday on Sunday to continue preparations for the Wellington tournament on February 4 and 5.

Messages of support can be sent to the team manager Brent Matchett on match@gablespeightsalehouse.co.nz

The Cook Islands sevens squad members are: Jason Tou, Ashley Drake, Clive Nicholas, Sailosi Nagi, Rangi Vallance, Richard Connal, Adam Vardy (captain), James Blackwell, Turori Matutu, Koiatu Koiatu, Nathan Robinson, Duane Gukisuva and manager Brent Matchett, coach Ramsey Tomokino, physio LeeVan Santos and trainer Keith Roberts.