Oceania rugby leaders meeting

More than 30 regional and international rugby delegates from the International Rugby Board (IRB) will be meeting in Rarotonga over the next few days as part of the Federations of Oceania Rugby Union (FORU) annual general meeting.

The majority of the delegates for the meeting arrived yesterday afternoon along with All Black star player Jerome Kaino and the Webb Ellis Cup.

A traditional turou welcome will start today’s series of FORU meetings at the Edgewater Resort and Spa. Topics of business include the structure of the rugby competition in the Oceania region as well as the election of new FORU office bearers.

Each national rugby union will present a report of the development of rugby in their country.

The meeting also presents the perfect opportunity for the Cook Islands Rugby Union to showcase the sporting facilities on the island as well as the island’s environment, people and culture.

The FORU delegates will also be hosted by Prime Minister Henry Puna, patron of the Cook Islands Rugby Union, at the Office of the Prime Minister in Avarua.

After meetings on Tuesday – the delegates will be hosted to a special island night dinner at Highland Paradise and on Wednesday the FORU annual general meeting will be held.

Also on Wednesday – Jerome Kaino will present the Webb Ellis Cup to the people of the Cook Islands with a World Cup parade through the Avarua township.

The Rugby World Cup is the third largest sporting event in the world and the Cook Islands and her people have been honoured by being the first nation the Cup has travelled to since the All Blacks won the cup last year, and it’s all thanks to All Blacks coach Graham Henry and New Zealand High Commissioner John Carter with the support of the CIRU.

The World Cup parade on Wednesday will run from 4pm to 6 o’clock. More details on the parade are expected today.

After the parade – Kaino will take to the Edgewater stage where he will be the guest speaker of the CISNOC annual sports awards.

Instead of delivering a speech – Kaino will be interviewed by a guest presenter for a more casual and interactive night with the star.

The FORU delegates and the Webb Ellis Cup are due to depart our shores on Thursday after the whirlwind visit.