Under 19 rugby clash today

A Cook Islands under 19 rugby team has been put together to take on the touring Whitgift College team from the UK today at Arorangi field kicking off at 4.30pm.

The touring team will be match hardened having played four matches in Hong Kong and New Zealand before arriving on Rarotonga.

The team includes fullback Matt Gallgher – the son of 1987 ex-All Black World Cup winning fullback John Gallagher.

The youngster is one to watch out for in today’s game and has represented England in the under 16 division.

The touring team will face an equally match-hardened local side who have been in club rugby mode for the past six weeks.

The local side will feature three Potoru brothers in 18-year old Vaike Potoru and twins Thomas (winger) and Jason (flanker) – all from the Takuvaine Reds club.

Also look out for Aitutaki lock Thomas Harrison who is currently schooling at Tereora College and playing for the Arorangi Cowboys.

The local side will be captained by Arorangi Cowboys Levi McKinley.

The full Cooks team includes – Vaike Potoru (Takuvaine), Levi McKinley (Arorangi), Zeru Pera (Avatiu), Iaveta Karika (Titikaveka), Thomas Harrison (Aitutaki), Jason Potoru (Takuvaine), Tamanui Nicholas (Avatiu), Stan Tobia (Avatiu), Marcelo Rairoa (Avatiu), Tokoiva Williams (Takuvaine), Thomas Potoru (Takuvaine), Akiona Tairi (Arorangi) , Repaio Jones (Avatiu), Christian Toa (Avatiu) and Basil Matapo (Arorangi) plus reserves John Vano, Tauri Tua, Andre Iro, Rouru Tokai, Toru Katuke, Daniel Aererua, BJ Heather and Nuka Mokoroa.

The game will be umpired by Arthur Emile with Ben Koteka and Robert Graham on the sideline.