Slow and steady does it

The Cook Islands rugby league masters have returned from Australia sure of their mantra that slow and steady will win the race.

The team is claiming the International Masters of Rugby League crown after coming away from the Gold Coast with two wins and a draw in the competition.

With a tight playing schedule of three games in six days having a toll on the bodies of the Cook Islands men, the team even called on a few Cook Islands players playing for the various New Zealand and Australian teams.

It was certainly a proud moment for these Kuki players that helped out with the local side as they felt privileged to be called upon as Cook Islanders to represent their country at the tournament.

The game was a bit tough on the old boys playing three games in six days especially with the body not recovering as fast as it should be. While the mind kept reminiscing about the DMD (during my days) the body was still very slow to respond despite the hot/cold swim, spa bath, sauna and access to the latest technology of physiotherapy services.

However, with the old harden up attitude by the old boys saw them do well in representing the Cook Islands at the tournament.

After a slow start to their first game, the opposition crossed the line for their first try within couple of minutes of kick off.

However, the Kuki team came back to edge out the opposition for their first win and demolished the second team seven tries to nil.

The final game saw the Kukis face the top Aussie team, also the host of the tournament.

With their slow and steady approach to a well-structured Aussie team, which consist of seven white shorts players (35-39 years old) in the team as compared to the Kuki team all over 40s, the Kukis frustrated the Aussies by not allowing them to dominate the game as they did to their previous opponents.

However, a good result came with a try each to finish the game off before the whole 30 players of the opposition ran on the field to finish off the last minute of the game in a true masters fun and enjoyable game.

The player of the tournament for the Kuki squad went to halfback Toto Tupiti who played extremely well during all three games. There were a number of contestants for the Turkey (idiot) of the tournament in the likes of Semi Harrigan Teiotu and Moeroa Takairangi. The biggest Turkey of them all went to Taua Benioni.

The Kuki Masters certainly looked awesome in their playing gear to the envy of many teams and the Kuki Masters would certainly like to acknowledge their major sponsor Edgewater Resort and Spa for sponsoring their gear.

The Kuki Masters are now preparing for their Mini-tournament which will coincide with the league finals in May 2012.

Their presence at the international masters certainly helped raise the profile of the Cook Islands with a number of teams already committed to attend the tournament.

The Kuki Masters are also working closely with Cook Islands Tourism in making this League Masters Fiesta a success.