Canberra Raiders under 20s second-rower Mark Tuaati could have picked to play with any nation in the tri-series competition currently being held in Rarotonga.

Tuaati grew up in Ngatangiia, spent part of his teens schooling in New Zealand and is currently living in Australia while working and playing for the Raiders Toyota Cup team.

He is back in Rarotonga for the tri-series competition, playing for his current host country Australia. He has also been named as the 18th man for the Kukis international squad tonight, to help make numbers for the senior side. He will play in the Prime Ministers XIII, but will switch shirts and play for the Kukis if one of the team gets injured before kick-off.

This year has been a busy one for Tuaati in terms of rugby league hes played the sport all over the world.

His year began with a one-off appearance with the Ngatangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles in May and ended with him playing in the NRLs under 20s competition.

This year, he moved to Canberra and spends his time working on construction sites when hes not playing rugby.

Tuaati spent some time with the Cook Islands Sports Academy before heading overseas and had a reunion of sorts in the Prime Ministers gardens during the PMs rugby lunch last Wednesday.

Mona Mato, who works at the Office of the Prime Minister and at the Cook Islands Sports Academy could hardly stop smiling when he met up with Tuaati and Ezra Howe, who was also at the academy and has travelled to the Cooks with the Aussie team.

Howe now works with the Raiders, too, organising the clubs Cook Islands activities and mentoring the Cook Islanders who make it to the club.

For Tuaati, season 2012 is full of potential. Hes no longer eligible for the Raiders under 20s side but is hopeful that they may keep him on.

In the short time hes been with the club, Tuaati has made an impression.

Come what may, Tuaati said he could at least take pride in the try he scored with the Raiders in their match against the Newcastle Knights.

Canberra Raiders under 20s second-rower Mark Tuaati could have picked to play with any nation in the tri-series competition currently being held in Rarotonga.

Tuaati grew up in Ngatangiia, spent part of his teens schooling in New Zealand and is currently living in Australia while working and playing for the Raiders Toyota Cup team.

He is back in Rarotonga for the tri-series competition, playing for his current host country Australia. He has also been named as the 18th man for the Kukis international squad tonight, to help make numbers for the senior side. He will play in the Prime Ministers XIII, but will switch shirts and play for the Kukis if one of the team gets injured before kick-off.

This year has been a busy one for Tuaati in terms of rugby league hes played the sport all over the world.

His year began with a one-off appearance with the Ngatangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles in May and ended with him playing in the NRLs under 20s competition.

This year, he moved to Canberra and spends his time working on construction sites when hes not playing rugby.

Tuaati spent some time with the Cook Islands Sports Academy before heading overseas and had a reunion of sorts in the Prime Ministers gardens during the PMs rugby lunch last Wednesday.

Mona Mato, who works at the Office of the Prime Minister and at the Cook Islands Sports Academy could hardly stop smiling when he met up with Tuaati and Ezra Howe, who was also at the academy and has travelled to the Cooks with the Aussie team.

Howe now works with the Raiders, too, organising the clubs Cook Islands activities and mentoring the Cook Islanders who make it to the club.

For Tuaati, season 2012 is full of potential. Hes no longer eligible for the Raiders under 20s side but is hopeful that they may keep him on.

In the short time hes been with the club, Tuaati has made an impression.

Come what may, Tuaati said he could at least take pride in the try he scored with the Raiders in their match against the Newcastle Knights.