Minister farewells side to Adelaide 7s

The Cook Islands rugby sevens team departed Rarotonga early Monday morning bound for the Adelaide sevens tournament in Australia.

The team was farewelled at the airport by minister of sport Mark Brown – a former sevens manager -- and their rugby families.

Brown spoke about past success, the benchmarks and the legacy of previous Cook Islands sevens teams, and urged that the local players play with plenty of ‘heart’.

The team picked up the New Zealand contingent of players and management before continuing on their way to Adelaide.

Unfortunately at the weekend team captain Ashley Drake was ruled out due to injury.

Drake has been replaced by 22-year-old loose forward Patella Tou who is now playing his rugby in the Canterbury region in New Zealand. Tou, who was born and bred on Mitiaro, has been living in New Zealand for the past three years.

The Adelaide sevens tournament will be played this coming weekend on April 2 and 3.

For messages of support please email the team manager Brent Matchett on match@gablespeightalehouse.co.nz

- CIRU