Panthers to tackle Eels

This Saturday’s under 19 Budget Rental and Polynesian Bike Hire grade grand finals will be contested by the Tupapa Panthers and the Avatiu Eels – and it’s expected to be one of the best games to watch at the weekend grand finals.

All year – whether it be rugby sevens or 15s – the Panthers have been one of the best teams to watch this season.

Their array of skills and fitness (with the majority of the players former or current Cook Islands Sports Academy students) being a feature of their matches.

Panther players that have been in outstanding form this season have been the Tatuava cousins Caleb (flanker) and Tatuava (utility back) halves Volunteer Tokorangi and Turua Kamana. The Panthers will receive further reinforcements this week with the return of National under 19 representative players Nga Simiona (loose forward), Ben Tautu (lock) and Kairan Mahia (outside back) and also national sevens and Aitutaki Teu Paerau should add some extra spice to this weekend’s grand final.

With most of their team having played Senior A grade rugby in 2010 this has further strengthened the Panthers team.

For the Eels – consistency has been a real bonus for them this season.

While there is no real stand out player just yet in their team, they have built up plenty of confidence and faith in each other and they do operate well as a team with very few weaknesses.

Eels players to watch are strong running centre Sirla Pera, tough halfback Teararoa Bishop and the Emile brothers Noel (number eight) and Tamatoa (prop).

There are also a number of outer island scholarship students in this team who are playing well including the Taripo brothers Henry (centre) and Dennis (fullback) and tear-away flanker Terrence Maruariki – all three players are from the island of Mauke.

These teams have played each other twice this year with a 1-1 score sheet.

The 2010 matches played between the Panthers and Eels resulted in a 21-5 to the Panthers and 10-16 win to the Eels.

The second round 10-16 defeat of the Panthers by the Eels would have brought the Panthers back down to earth – so the Panthers will want to erase that horror result.

Both teams have ‘finals’ experience and although the Panthers may look stronger on paper the Eels have proven before that a good team will always defeat a team of individuals.

- CIRU

Under 19 Panthers: Ngametua Ioane, Marshall Ngaro, Chris Strickland, Ben Tautu, David Tautu, Gideon Ama, Caleb Tatuava (Capt), Nga Simiona, Taime Tuakeu, Turoa Kamana, Vou Williams, Volunteer Tokorangi, Teu Paerau, Tupe Willie, Tatuava Tatuava, Nathan Pere, Uriarau Parakoti, George Turaki, Darren Manu, Gerald Piho, Paraita Akama, Bernard Okotai, Kairan Mahia, Kaina Kaina.

Under 19 Eels: Tamatoa Emile, Nat Moeauri, Boaza Atetu, Jordan Roberts, Edward Kamana, William Rima, Terrence Maruariki, Noel Emile ,Teararoa Bishop, Adrian Tei, Kore Raumea, Sirla Pera, Henry Taripo, John Nicholas, Dennis Taripo, Avi Tawake, Felix Taurarii and Peirce Numanga.