Raro tour to end season

Two rugby games against Rarotonga’s top under 13 players will mark the end of the season for the touring Northcote-Birkenhead under 13 rugby team.

The touring team will meet their first local opponents this afternoon at the Tupapa field.

This exciting school boy match between Northcote-Birkenhead and a Cook Islands town selection team kicks off at 4.30pm.

Team coach/manager Dan Patrick says they’ve been planning for the trip for a long time and are thrilled to finally be on the island.

The school team began planning for the trip last November and fundraising began in February.

The team of 21, which includes Cook Islands boy Jayden Marsters, will be joined by two more players who were playing in a prestigious regional tournament.

Patrick admits that injuries are high in his team at this tail end of their season but are looking forward to getting out on the field.

The trip to Rarotonga is all about player development as well as keeping the talented youths in the sport of rugby.

For all the visiting players – their two games in Rarotonga will also be the final time they play in the junior grade as they progress to college rugby next season.

Patrick adds that the club has a big focus on community and grassroots rugby and their games in Rarotonga are all part of giving the young lads a great rugby experience.

The team will play a second game on tour against a country selection team on October 7 at the Arorangi field.

The rugby family is encouraged to get along to the games and cheer on the future of Kiwi and Cook Islands rugby.