Cook Islands Rugby League’s domestic 13s competition defending champions, the Avatiu Nikao Eels, will use their first match against the returning Takuvaine (TKV) Warriors at Nukupure Park in Ngatangiia to gauge their player combinations.

The 2025 season kicked off yesterday afternoon with a major upset when the League Nines champions, the Arorangi Bears, were defeated by the Titikaveka Bulldogs 20-22 in a close encounter.

Today, the Eels will take on the Warriors at 3.30pm followed by the Tupapa Panthers versus the Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles clash at 5pm.

The Eels, after a disappointing start to the 2025 season, failing to retain the League 9s title last month, are looking to bounce back and successfully defend the 13s title.

In an interview with CIRL, coach Clive Nicholas said they were progressing well in preparation for the competition despite not having a single training since their League 9s loss.

Nicholas said: “We have not had a single training since the 9s flop performance. We went into the 9s really confident, everything went totally wrong, attitude wasn’t there.”

After a disappointing 9s campaign, Nicholas said he simply got on a plane and took a break, telling the players to do their own training and fix their attitudes.

The no nonsense Nicholas said he told the boys to show up when the 13s season began – and they did.

“Bit of a new attitude at the moment.”

Nicholas reiterated that they would be looking out for individuals who think the club is about them.

“That’s not the case, Avatiu never wins that way.”

When asked about their first against TKV, Nicholas said: “We have a new line-up from last year … not taking TKV for granted, even though they just started and credits to them and their organisers.”

“But we will use this game to try some new combinations, using younger boys that have not played in the last two years, and part of Avatiu’s U19.”

Nicholas added that he was excited and keen to see the new players perform, as they can’t keep bringing players from overseas.

In the 2024 competition, Avatiu Nikao Eels defeated their rivals Tupapa Panthers in final.

Panthers coach Darren Piri said their preparation was going well and they were looking forward to the competition.

Piri said they have been struggling with numbers: “We just need to work harder and get the numbers again.”

David Toa, the new head coach of the Sea Eagles, says that for him, it’s all about giving back to the village and he is excited about the new role.

Toa called on the supporters to show up and support them as they are hosting their first game.

Fixtures

Venue: Nukupure Park, Ngatangiia. 2.30pm women’s 1 vs women’s 2. 3.30pm Eels vs TKV Warriors; 5pm Sea Eagles vs Panthers.