Talent scouts look for more

Talented young Cook Islands rugby players in the South Island of New Zealand are becoming a force to be reckoned with on the rugby field and are being selected into various clubs across the Canterbury plains.

Jag Love and Daniel Mato, who both received the first rugby scholarship to attend Rangiora High School just outside of Christchurch, have been selected in the Northern Canterbury Under 18s – a team that will take on similar sides from various parts of Canterbury.

Daniel Mato will face his brother Rangi Mato in the Canterbury rugby competition as Rangi, who attends Burnside High School, has been selected into the Metro Canterbury side and this will no doubt generate some healthy competition on the rugby field.

Cousins Jojo Karati and Perry Karati have also been selected into the Metro Canterbury under 16 and under 13 teams respectively.

This is a major step forward for the Cook Islands rugby players and more importantly their conduct on and off the field opens up more doors for local rugby players.

In fact, another scouting group from South Island high schools is due to arrive in September to look for more local players from the islands.