Excitement is brewing as the Cook Islands Rugby League Rarotonga 13s competition playoffs are set to kick off today from 1.30pm at the National Stadium in Nikao.

The anticipation is intense, especially with the Senior Women’s category leading the charge. The spotlight is on the clash between the Tupapa Lady Panthers and the Titikaveka Lady Bulldogs, promising a showdown of epic rugby league performance.

Throughout the season, the Lady Bulldogs have proven to be formidable opponents, posing a significant challenge to the Lady Panthers. With both teams vying for victory, the intensity is sure to reach fever pitch. The Lady Bulldogs are determined not to let this opportunity slip through their grasp, while the Lady Panthers are equally determined to secure victory with an ultimate showdown.

In the Premier Men’s division, the stakes are equally high as the top four teams prepare to battle it out in a double-header spectacle. The Avatiu Eels, reigning as the minor premiers, will face off against the Tupapa Panthers, who also made it to the finals in 2023.

Avatiu Eels coach Clive Nicholas stated, “Our focus in this game is to keep our discipline, faith, and belief in our attack structures,” while Panthers coach Darren Piri also highlighted, “Our focus is to work on what suits us in attack and keep it going for eighty minutes. Before that, ensuring a structured defence is crucial.”

This clash promises to be a strategic chess match, with both coaches, Nicholas and Piri, emphasising the importance of discipline, faith, and belief in their respective game plans.

In the second premier men’s clash, it will be a do or die battle between the defending champions, the Arorangi Bears, taking on the determined Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles. The Bears are poised to defend their title, while the Sea Eagles are hungry for victory and will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of glory.

The winner of this match will play the loser of the Eels versus the Panthers clash in next week’s semifinal.

Sea Eagles coach Dion Nepia said, “It’s just a matter of getting it right. Playoffs make it a bit exciting but there’s no pressure on us.”

On the other side, Bears coach Bobby-Ryan Hansen is proactive and ready to utilise every strategy at his disposal to secure victory for the Bears.

The playoffs mark a crucial juncture in the Cook Islands rugby calendar, with the winner from the top two team’s playoff advancing directly to the final. However, the loser will have another chance, facing off against the winner from third and fourth placed playoff.

Fixtures

National Stadium: Today – 5pm Girls Mix girls 1 vs Mix girls 2 (15 mins each half); Tomorrow – 11am Junior Development – 6 years old - 12 years old (turning 12 this year), 1.30pm Women’s Panthers vs Bulldogs (35 mins each half), 3pm Premier Men Eels vs Panthers (1^st/2^nd Playoff), 4.30pm Premier Men Bears vs Sea Eagles (3^rd/4^th Playoff).