Rugby action comes to town

Week two of the CITC Rarotonga Club 15s will see all games being played at town venues Tupapa will host Titikaveka, Takuvaine host Ngatangiia while Arorangi will travel to the swamp to face Avatiu.

Although the focus will be on the Senior A games, there will also be some interesting match-ups in the various age grades.

At Tupapa field, the under 13 grade match between the Panthers and Bulls will be a cracker.

After last weekend’s 12-12 draw against Avatiu, the under 13 Panthers outfit led by Othneil Joseph will want to register a win to get their train back on track.

In the Senior A grade the Bulls will want to continue last week’s form that saw them comprehensively beat Takuvaine 32-14.

On home soil though, the Panthers will be no pushover.

The Panthers were very disappointed after last week’s 44-7 loss to Avatiu so this week’s match will be about restoring some pride in the Panthers colours this should be a tight struggle but predictions are that the Bulls will win this match, but by a very close margin. Players who could determine the outcome of this match are opposing loose forwards Pokoina Turua & Eddie Herman (Panthers) and Lloyd ‘Bacon’ Matapo and Travel Tyler for the Titikaveka pack.

At the Takuvaine ‘happy valley, the Flying Dragons will be full of confidence coming off a bruising but winning encounter with the Cowboys last weekend and they should start favorites in this match.

The Warriors showed last week that they have the fire power but are lacking in basic fitness and team cohesion.

Players to watch for are line-breaking centre Sailosi Niagi (Dragons) and pack-leader Travel ‘King’ Tou of Warriors.

There should be plenty of action in all grades at the Avatiu field starting at noon with the under 13 grade.

The Cowboys suffered their first loss in 2 years in this particular grade last week (congratulation to the Flying Dragons) so expect these young Cowboys to be back in the saddle this week ready to redeem themselves against a tough under 13 Eels side coached by a tough Peto Nicholas.

In the under 16 grade, these two teams were finalists in the recent pre-season sevens tournament (won by the Eels 26-22) so there will be no love lost in this match.

Expect big games from key Eels Basil Matapo and Stanley Tobia and for the Cowboys watch for backline general Robert Heather Jnr and busy loose forward Andrew Purua.

In the CITC main match of the week, long-time rivals the Eels and Cowboys will meet this weekend both teams were 2009 grand finalists, this match won by the Eels 23-21.

So, there may be some unfinished business from last year’s grand finals.

The Eels last week recorded an impressive 44-7 against the Panthers while on the other side of island the Cowboys slumped to a first round loss 12-10 against the Flying Dragons.

Be reading this Saturday’s CI News for the starting line-ups for this Saturday’s Senior A grade CITC game of the week.