The Cook Islands men’s and women’s rugby league teams are both ranked 10th in the latest International Rugby League world rankings released this week.
The final match of the 2024 CIFA Knockout Competition, played on Wednesday, was the perfect conclusion to an action-packed season, as Tupapa-Maraerenga Football Club and Nikao Sokattak Football Club clashed in one of the most intense and dramatic Premier Men's games seen in recent years.
The Bluesky Mixed Touch Competition kicked off the afternoon of mixed touch with two top sides ICI Transformers versus KAPS battling to secure a competitive position on the points table last week.
The Cook Islands Sevens side wasted no time after arriving in Auckland on Wednesday, getting into training before flying out to Hong Kong today. The national side was joined by the four overseas-based players as coach Vase Samania went through some drills to gel the players ahead of the three-day tournament which kicks off on April 5. Samania said getting the combination with the overseas players in such a short time would be a challenge. However he is optimistic of finding the right combination and building a strong bond between the players ahead of the tournament. “The campaign has been great so far. The aim now is to use the two days we have in Auckland to gel the players and work on our games before we leave for Hong Kong,” Samania said before departing Rarotonga on Wednesday. “We have some quality players in the side and hopefully we can get the combination right and iron out the weak links before our opening match.” Cook Islands is grouped with Chile, Germany and Uganda in Pool G. The team will be competing in the World Rugby Sevens Series Qualifier alongside 11 other nations. In the other qualifiers pools, host Hong Kong is the top seed leading Pool E which has Tonga, Zimbabwe and Philippines while Pool F comprise Ireland, Russia, Uruguay and Jamaica. The main draw (Pools A to D) will feature the teams that are part of the World Rugby Sevens Series. Samania earlier said he was wary of the teams in Cook Islands’ pool but hoped the side would put on a better performance than their last year’s outing at the tournament. He said the aim was to advance through to the quarter-finals and better their rankings. For that, the side will need to finish in the top two in the pool competition. Cook Islands Sevens – Stephen Willis (Captain), Robert Heather Jr (VC), Josua Koroitukana, Teina Savage, Vaehoolu “Leki” Leka, Matamanea Matapakia, Colati “Tua” Ravula, Tokerau Raru (Australia), Christian Vainerere (Australia), Walter Koteka (Australia), Owen Karati (New Zealand), Gene Te Amo (New Zealand); Non travelling squad members – James Kora, Tanire Mokoroa, Jason Potoru, Junior Napara, Stormmel Ruatoe. Management: Head Coach – Vase Samania, Manager – Ashleigh Willis and Physio Jana Whitta.
The 14th BSP Women’s Triathlon was held at the Tikioki Tri site last Saturday. Harriet Browning claimed the Cook Islands Triathlon Association event after completing the 400 metre swim, 16 kilometre cycle and 4km run course in a time of 55:08 minutes. She faced tough competition from Sherid Carter and Lucy McDonald, who finished second and third respectively.
New Zealand-based Nathan Mauger and Anna Darling are in Rarotonga as part of the Pacific Sporting Partnership - Sports for Health Rugby programme on Rarotonga this week.
Takitumu School field is the place to be this afternoon for the first Just Play village festival of the year.
Handball Cook Islands is jubilant with the men’s team claiming the bronze medal defeating American Samoa at the 2019 Oceania Championships Handball Federation and Australian Beach Handball Championships in Glenelg Adelaide, South Australia, last week.
In shelf-life terms, All Blacks wings are pork sausages.
The first-ever Paradise Supplies Kids Triathlon event will be held this weekend.
When Esan Marsters left Auckland at the age of 17 with little more than a dream of starring in the NRL in hand, representing his Maori roots wasn't even possible.
The Titikaveka senior women’s team host Nikao Sokattak at the Teimurimotia Park today in what should be an exhilarating clash that promises drama and great football.
The Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) is celebrating Olympic Week, starting yesterday through to Saturday.
Tributes are flowing for well-known Cook Islander and sports supporter Massey Mateariki following his sudden death this week.
A top of the table clash between Tupapa Panthers and Avatiu Nikao Eels will headline round 12 in the domestic rugby league competition this weekend.
A tough start in the inaugural 2018 Oceania Rugby U18s Sevens Championship which ended on a high for the Cook Islands, as they ran the Solomon Islands off the park to the tune of 41-5.
National bowling team coach George Paniani says our bronze medallists from the recent Commonwealth Games have paved the way for a gold medal in future games.
The Cook Islands netball side is wary of the challenge in the Oceania Regional Qualifier for the Netball World Cup, but remains optimistic of making it through to next year’s World Cup in England.
The Under-18 Cook Islands men’s sevens side departed New Zealand yesterday, as they make their way to Sydney to compete in the Oceania Rugby U18 Sevens Championships tomorrow (CI time).
The National Football Championship has now completed its final day of round matches. Tuesday marked the final day of group play, and standings are now finalised, with berths to the semi-finals decided.
The gloves are off in the fight to buy the Warriors, with the head of a US-Tongan bid on Wednesday accusing rival Auckland Rugby League chairman Cameron McGregor of racism.
Israel Folau has revealed he offered to walk away from his Rugby Australia contract in the wake of his controversial comments on homosexuality and that tension remains with the game's administration over the issue.