An action-packed fixture will kick off the Cook Islands Tri Nations Series tomorrow at Victoria Park in Tupapa.

Cook Islands Residents will take on Tokouso (Samoa and Tonga) in the opening match of the annual series this weekend.

The action-packed day will include under-9/U11 Quick Rip matches between TKV Reds, Arorangi Bears and Tupapa Panthers starting at 2pm before the Tri Nations clash at 4pm.

Tokouso won the inaugural series in 2020 before Tabusoro Fiji claimed the title last year.

The Residents are eyeing the title this year. At the launching of the 2022 series and handover of polos and singlets from sponsor Vodafone on Friday last week, Cook Islands Residents’ Francis Toa said: “We need to make a statement, first year Tokouso took out the competition, second year Team Fiji has taken that out and we are working really hard with our coach to try and establish our dominance, Cook Islands dominance in this programme.”

The Residents will play defending champions Tabusoro Fiji next Saturday, August 20 at The Swamp in Avatiu. In the final match of the series on August 27, Tokouso will take on Tabusoro at Raemaru Park in Arorangi.

The Tri-Nations concept is the next step above club-level, called regional level-rugby, which sees three residential community teams – Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa/Tonga – play a round-robin series of matches against each.

Fixtures

12 noon Gates open: entry fee Adults $3 & Under 16 FREE, 1.50pm Opening prayer by hosts Tabusoro, 2pm U9/U11 Quick Rip Competition: 2x Fields available , 3.45pm Team Flag bearer - are ready & waiting with their teams, 3.47pm     Flag bearer leads team towards the central halfway Admi Tent, 3.50pm Both teams/officials to assemble in-front of the central Admin Tent [facing the mountains] –  National Anthem: Tokouso, National Anthem: CI,   3.59pm Both are teams announced onto the field by the MC, 4pm Kick-off