Tough training for Tahiti sevens

A fast and action packed rugby sevens match was played at the Avatiu swamp yesterday morning between the visiting Tahiti national team and the Cook Islands Sports Academy students and tutors.

The Tahiti national team are undergoing final trials for their side before they compete at the Pacific Games in Noumea later this year a tournament the Cook Islands mens sevens have withdrawn from.

Under the blazing Rarotonga sun, the two sides squared off for what was an energetic and exciting showdown.

Quickly fired instructions in Tahitian and French from the Tahiti corner combined with the booming voice of league legend Kevin Iro in the CISA corner made for a highly charged game with CISA students trying to put into action the lessons from their mentor and the Tahiti side trying to polish up their games.

CISA tutors Turori Matutu and Bilsy Gukisuva were definitely inspirational figures on the field with both rugby stalwarts executing brilliant line breaks much to the delight of their young charges who also displayed some awesome rugby skills.

Standout in the CISA squad was big running Raina Wichman who stormed his way over the Tahitian defenders to dot down a try of his own as well as opening up opportunities for his team mates.

In the end CISA outscored Tahiti 6 tries to 5.

The Tahiti national sevens side, lead by Yanneck Gooding, will continue their training in Rarotonga until they leave on Saturday to finalise their squad for the Pacific Games.