U19 side qualifies in Samoa

The Cook Islands under 19 rugby team have qualified for the Under 20 World Trophy tournament for 2011 and 2012.

But the squad has one more big game to play today – against Samoa for first and second placings in the FORU Oceania tournament.

The team will play at 3.45pm in Samoa (4.45pm local time) and after a well earned rest – the team will be raring to go today.

The team’s two injured players Luke Bowden and Bon Maui have recovered well and are expected to play in today’s final game.

On Wednesday the team attended one of the Samoan Rugby programmes on Aids Education in the morning at Samoa College with the team manager and were requested to do one of their cultural items.

The team having qualified for up and coming world events, two team members Adam Tangata and Mark Tuaati departed on Wednesday for further rugby contractual commitments to their school.

The squad playing Samoa for the 2010 Oceania Cup are James Pakoti, Josh Tararo, Terongo Tekii, Richard Connal, Bon Maui, Nga Simiona, Josh Randell, Murphy Taramai, Andrew Hanara, Nadave Tereapii, Sema Robati, Courtney Marsters, Justin Marsters, Charles Teraitua, Liston Togia, (reserves) Luke Bowden, Michael Aumata, Tinomana Kaue, Ben Tautu, Wallace Aroita, Kairan Mahia and Jarrod Croxon.