Cook Islands under-18 boys and girls teams finished third at the Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup 2023 held in Brisbane, Australia over the weekend.

Played over three days, the Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup brought together teams from around the Southern Hemisphere and Pacific nations.

Cook Islands entered in the U18 boys and girls competition and finished third after the preliminary competition before losing in the semi-finals to New Zealand.

In the U18 boys competition, Cook Islands went down to eventual champions Australia 3-16 before beating Fiji 8-5. In their final round robin match, the national side lost to New Zealand 2-14.

In the semi-finals, Cook Islands faced New Zealand and went down 2-18. Australia beat New Zealand 12-9 in the final.

In the U18 girls, Cook Islands lost to Australia 2-17 before recording a 4-all draw against Singapore. In the final round robin match, the national side went down to New Zealand 1-9.
In the semis, Cook Islands lost to New Zealand 1-12. Australia defeated New Zealand 13-3 in the final.

The Cook Islands U18 boys team was led by captain Tamoko Duff Berryma nand Coco Marsters captained the U18 girls team.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Cook Islands Touch said: “Our Cook Islands Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup 2023 campaign has come to an end. To say we are so very proud of our tamariki is an understatement.”

“After three days of tournament action both our Boys and Girls U18 teams have come away in third place behind Australia 1st and New Zealand 2nd.

“An amazing campaign led brilliantly by an amazing management and coaching crew, made up of our iti tangata from Australia and Rarotonga. Meitaki maata team, it was a pleasure.

“A special mention to one of our great sponsors and the magic man @morne_lombaard80 for his care and expertise throughout the weekend, we all knew we had the best in the business looking after our kids. We look forward to having you on board again in November at Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

“Meitaki ranuinui ki to tatou iti tangata tei noo nei ki Australia, no ta kotou ngakau aroa i te angai e te akono ia matou. Words just cannot express how grateful we are for your amazing hospitality. You have such big hearts and we will never forget your kindness.”

Cook Islands Touch thanked Tariu Tairea and Conrad Piri. “Dinner on the Gold Coast was absolutely phenomenal. Thank you for such a unique, fine dining experience”.

Teremoana Ngametua and Vaine Tairea Puna and their families for hosting the team to dinner and offering and providing all sorts of supplies for the team. “Your daily support at the Games was appreciated and always wonderful to see you each day.”

And to Terai Tapurau-Williams for supplying the group with a week’s worth of delicious fruit.

“Meitaki ranuinui and God bless you all.

“To everyone who came to watch our games and support us, meitaki maata. It was so great to see old faces from home and meet new ones too. The Cook Islands spirit is truly alive and well here in Aussie.”