The Cook Islands rugby league teams in Fiji for the Pacific Championships Men’s and Women’s tournaments this Friday took a break from the field yesterday to visit the Parliament of Fiji in Suva.

Cook Islands Rugby League president Charles Carlson said it was a privilege for the team to visit the Fijian Parliament.

“Unfortunately, Fiji PM (Sitiveni) Rabuka is overseas and did ask if we could reschedule when he gets back but team departs for Papua New Guinea on Sunday,” Carlson said.

“We were welcomed and shown around Parliament by the Secretary.

“Some were surprised at how small the Parliamentary chamber is including their MPs in comparison to the Cooks and as per the population. Fiji has 55 MPs with a population 929,000 while Cooks have 24 with a population of 17,000.

“While the reason is for sports, we are grateful to be allowed to visit the powerhouse of Fiji government.”

Carlson said he recognised Fiji’s new Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu “whom I have met and attended international meetings representing the Pacific as former director of Emergency Management Cook Islands”.

During the visit, Fiji’s Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo, the former chairman of Fiji National Rugby League, asked whether any of the team members were interested to become a politician.

Carlson said “to no surprise, no one was interested!”

“CIRL would like to thank Government of Fiji for the opportunity to visit the Parliament House.”

Cook Islands Moana will take on Fiji Bulikula in the Women’s Pacific Bowl this Friday at 8pm followed by the Cook Islands Aitu versus the Fiji Bati Men’s Pacific Bowl clash at 10.10pm (Cook Islands time).