Warriors disrupt Kuki team plans

New Zealands success in the NRL and NYC competitions in Australia is making an impact on the Cook Islands preparation for the October 6 test match against the Kiwis.

Kuki coach David Fairleigh and Auckland Vulcans Anthony Gelling and Isaac John did not arrive at the Cook Islands early this morning with the rest of the representative squad.

Fairleigh, who is currently working as an assistant coach with the Warriors NRL squad, will remain with the team until after this weekends grand final is played out.

Newcastle Knights assistant coach John Macarthur will step into Fairleighs position until Farleigh arrives in the Cook Islands early next week.

He is expected to travel to the Cook Islands on the same flight as many of the Kiwis players early on Tuesday morning.

Fairleigh and Macarthur have a connection through the Knights, where Fairleigh previously worked as an assistant coach.

New Zealand will feature in all three finals on grand final day this Saturday, Cook Islands time, fielding teams in the New South Wales Cup, National Youth Competition and the National Rugby League finals.

Cook Islands representatives Gelling and John will be playing for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Saturday.

Fellow Kuki representative and Warriors under 20s player Nathaniel Peteru was able to make the journey out of Australia this week after being left out of the Warriors Toyota Cup grand final squad.

Cook Islands Rugby League international director Kevin Iro said the changes in the wake of the Warriors success would not disrupt the Kuki teams preparations too badly.

We always had a contingency plan... now were waiting and hoping (the players) dont get injured, Iro said.

In the meantime, Iro said having another pair of eyes from the NRLs coaching boxes was just one more thing to get excited about.

What Macarthurs presence means is Cook Islands players are getting yet another chance to showcase themselves in front of an NRL coach.