A new men’s champion will be crowned in the Cook Islands Games rugby 7s final tonight after defending champs Pukapuka failed to make the semi-finals.

Mauke and Atiu have emerged top bets in the open men’s rugby 7s competition after topping their pools.

The semifinals and finals will be played this afternoon at the National Stadium in Nikao.

Mauke made a brilliant start in Pool A beating Mangaia 12-5 before levelling with Mitiaro 5-all. In their final pool match, Mauke thumped Pukapuka 31-5.

Mangaia finished second in the pool after two days of competition, beating Pukapuka 34-0 and Mitiaro 17-14 in a close clash.

In Pool B, Atiu finished on top with 22-0 win over Aitutaki, followed by 36-7 win against Rarotonga and 27-14 against Manihiki.

Aitutaki finished in second place after beating Manihiki 19-17 and Rarotonga 25-7.

In the first open men’s semis at 4.36pm today, Mauke will take on Aitutaki while Mangaia will play Atiu in the second semis at 4.54pm.

In the women’s competition, Mitiaro leads with wins over Mangaia 31-5 and Aitutaki 32-5. Mauke defeated Aitutaki 22-5 before drawing with Mangaia 10-all.

Mangaia will take on Aitutaki today at 5.12pm followed by Mauke versus Mitiaro match at 5.30pm.

The latest medal tally and results were not made available to Cook Islands News by the time this edition went to press last night. According to Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC), the medal tally and official results will be available at 9am each morning.

At 9am yesterday, Mangaia maintained their top position in the Cook Islands Games opens medal tally. The team was leading with 19 gold, 12 silver and 12 bronze medals, amassing 143 points. Aitutaki was in second spot with nine gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals and 97 points. Atiu was placed third with 10 gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals and 83 points.

Mangaia also led in the youth and masters categories.

Results

U14 – Atiu 24 Rarotonga 7, Atiu 24 Rarotonga 0; U18 – Aitutaki 17 Mauke 5, Atiu 0 Mangaia 19, Mangaia 10 Aitutaki 20, Pukapuka 12 Mauke 12, Pukapuka 17 Mangaia 12, Aitutaki 26 Atiu 5, Atiu 24 Pukapuka 12; Women – Mauke 22 Aitutaki 5, Mitiaro 31 Mangaia 5, Mangaia 10 Mauke 10; Aitutaki 5 Mitiaro 32;

Men – Mitiaro 48 Pukapuka 8, Mangaia 5 Mauke 12, Atiu 22 Aitutaki 0, Rarotonga 10 Manihiki 7, Mauke 5 Mitiaro 5, Mangaia 34 Pukapuka 0, Aitutaki 19 Manihiki 17, Atiu 36 Rarotonga 7, Pukapuka 5 Mauke 31, Mitiaro 14 Mangaia 17, Aitutaki 25 Rarotonga 7, Atiu 27 Manihiki 14.

Today

Badminton (National Indoor Arena): 4pm - 8.30pm; Darts (Tupapa Maraerenga Hall): 9am - 8.30pm; Golf (Rarotonga Golf Club): 7am - 6pm; Lawn Bowls (Rarotonga Bowling Club): 5.30pm - 7.30pm; Rugby Sevens (National Stadium): 4pm - 8pm; Sailing (Muri Beach): 9am- 4pm; Tennis (Nikao Tennis Courts): 9am - 6pm.