The Kukis international rugby league squad has proved itself as the best team in the country, devouring a brave Prime Ministers XIII at the BCI Stadium on Thursday night.

The 17-man squad put in a professional and fast-paced game against the Cook Islands best novice players, taking a comfortable 54-16 victory in front of hundreds of people at the ground.

It was always going to be a tough ask for the PMs men, their opponents all having experience in the NRL or the under 20s NYC.

And although the loudest cheers were reserved for combined tri-series teams three tries, the crowd left impressed with the Kukis side at the end of the night.

Anthony Gelling went over the line first for the Kukis, taking hold of a chip kick on the left wing about three minutes after kick-off.

Gelling went on to score two tries in the match, with Lulia Lulia, Jonathan Ford and Drury Low also taking a double.

Adam Tangata and Zane Tetevano scored the Kukis other two tries, the team going over the line 10 times in total.

Kicker Isaac John had bit of a slow start to the match, missing two of his first three attempts at converting the teams tries.

Once he got his eye in, though, John made six of the next seven kicks and converted with a 70 percent strike rate.

The PMs XIII managed to put the ball over their line three times.

Aitutaki Shark Mau George opened the teams scoring and got the crowd cheering their appreciation for the underdogs, their applause extended when Turori Matutu put two more points to their tally with the conversion.

Soon after Australias Isaac Tautaiolefua also crossed the line and had the crowd whispering about a comeback.

The Kukis were having none of it, with a hard-hitting Brad Takairangi putting in one of the biggest tackles of the night and a reminder of the Kukis ability.

Lui Nicholas was the next and last of the PMs men to lay a try down, that too being converted by Matutu.

The side was rightly proud with their effort, their victory in being able to compete with the Kukis side throughout the match and in being able to put some points up against the professionals.

The Kukis backed off a little towards the end of the match, leaving the crowd satisfied, impressed and dreaming of what could have been if the Kiwis had not pulled out of the match.

Final score: Kukis defeated PMs XII 54-16. Try-scorers: Kukis - Anthony Gelling 2, Lulia Lulia 2, Jonathan Ford 2, Drury Low 2, Adam Tangata, Zane Tetevano. PMs XIII Mau George, Isaac Tautaiolefua, Lui Nicholas. Conversions: Kukis Isaac John 7. PMs XIII Turori Matutu 2.

The Kukis international rugby league squad has proved itself as the best team in the country, devouring a brave Prime Ministers XIII at the BCI Stadium on Thursday night.

The 17-man squad put in a professional and fast-paced game against the Cook Islands best novice players, taking a comfortable 54-16 victory in front of hundreds of people at the ground.

It was always going to be a tough ask for the PMs men, their opponents all having experience in the NRL or the under 20s NYC.

And although the loudest cheers were reserved for combined tri-series teams three tries, the crowd left impressed with the Kukis side at the end of the night.

Anthony Gelling went over the line first for the Kukis, taking hold of a chip kick on the left wing about three minutes after kick-off.

Gelling went on to score two tries in the match, with Lulia Lulia, Jonathan Ford and Drury Low also taking a double.

Adam Tangata and Zane Tetevano scored the Kukis other two tries, the team going over the line 10 times in total.

Kicker Isaac John had bit of a slow start to the match, missing two of his first three attempts at converting the teams tries.

Once he got his eye in, though, John made six of the next seven kicks and converted with a 70 percent strike rate.

The PMs XIII managed to put the ball over their line three times.

Aitutaki Shark Mau George opened the teams scoring and got the crowd cheering their appreciation for the underdogs, their applause extended when Turori Matutu put two more points to their tally with the conversion.

Soon after Australias Isaac Tautaiolefua also crossed the line and had the crowd whispering about a comeback.

The Kukis were having none of it, with a hard-hitting Brad Takairangi putting in one of the biggest tackles of the night and a reminder of the Kukis ability.

Lui Nicholas was the next and last of the PMs men to lay a try down, that too being converted by Matutu.

The side was rightly proud with their effort, their victory in being able to compete with the Kukis side throughout the match and in being able to put some points up against the professionals.

The Kukis backed off a little towards the end of the match, leaving the crowd satisfied, impressed and dreaming of what could have been if the Kiwis had not pulled out of the match.

Final score: Kukis defeated PMs XII 54-16. Try-scorers: Kukis - Anthony Gelling 2, Lulia Lulia 2, Jonathan Ford 2, Drury Low 2, Adam Tangata, Zane Tetevano. PMs XIII Mau George, Isaac Tautaiolefua, Lui Nicholas. Conversions: Kukis Isaac John 7. PMs XIII Turori Matutu 2.