|
|
|
|
|
IRB
SEVENS CIRCUIT - COOK ISLANDS TEAM |
|
By Sandra Kailahi |
|
| |
Rugby Seven’s Fever hit Wellington on the 8th and 9th of February and right in the heart of all the action was the Cook Islands’ team and Cook Islands’ drummers.
Fresh from winning the Bowl Trophy in Brisbane at the end of January, the team was looking to improve their performance and make it to the Cup Finals just as they had the previous year but the stakes were again high.
Hoping to recapture the magic of their performances in 2001, Coach Nigel Booker only made four changes from last year’s team.
“The team is pretty much the same team and they are a good group with a lot of morale. They are a great bunch of guys.”
On hand to support the boys was a contingent from the Cooks. Thirty-two players from the Avatiu - Nikao
Golden Oldies Rugby club planned a rugby tour to coincide with the
Wellington tournament.
The Golden Oldies swapped their shoes for drums and gave their
players a taste of home, pounding the familiar beats of the their homeland.
The Wellington Seven’s tournament now in its third year and is a permanent fixture on the International Rugby Board’s seven’s circuit. The season officially kicked off last year in Durban South Africa and will end at the beginning of this May in Wales.
The Wellington tournament however was the team’s second and last of the current season.
“It makes it harder for us to develop our game and it usually takes us a while
to get back into the swing of
things. But hopefully, we will get more invitations including one to the Hong
Kong Sevens” says Booker.
Veteran player, Terry Piri has played sevens rugby for the Cook Islands for over ten years and would love to go to Hong Kong and the Commonwealth Games.
“If the boys do what they are good at and give 100 percent then we will be able to hold our heads high.”
Seasoned player, Teokotai Tuaivi backs up Terry’s words.
“Our boys can match any team but we have
to work together and work hard. If we stick
|
|
 |
|
|
The Avatiu - Nikao Golden Oldies Rugby Team drumming up support. |
 |
The Cook Islands team
against the Australians.
|
 |
|
The die-hard supporters in full swing. |
| |
to one game plan, we can come out on top.”
The team was placed in Pool C alongside Australia, Argentina and Japan. Their first game was against Australia who had just won the Brisbane tournament. The game started off well but after a few errors and missed opportunities, the half time score was 10 nil. The second half didn’t see any improvements on the Cook Island’s behalf - the final score 17-0. It was a disappointing start to the tournament but it left a lot of room for improvement.
“The score did not reflect what we were after but 17-0 is definitely an improvement on last year’s 45-0 defeat,” says Coach Booker. ” We have to take the good things, focus on them and not just the negative and use those positives towards the next game.”
Captain, Lance Fitzpatrick was also disappointed with the result but remained optimistic.
“It’s a disappointing start to the tournament but we have an enthusiastic team and that’s not going to deter us. We still have more games.”
The results from Pool C were
Australia vs Cook Island 17-0
Argentina vs Cook Island 31-10
Japan vs Cook Island 19-5
Not discouraged at all, the Cook Islands’ team went on to win the Shield Trophy beating Papua New Guinea 38-14 in the final game. The team is now working towards the Commonwealth Games to be held later this year in Manchester, England.
|
|
| |
Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
|
|
|
|
|
