The Tairua Senior Rugby Team have received a warm Rarotonga welcome.

Cook Islands Rugby Union presented Tairua a trophy earlier this month in remembrance of the partnership and brotherhood established while they were in the Cook Islands.

Tairua Rugby Club also presented Cook Island Ruby Union two club shields and a new set of playing jerseys plus an assortment of rugby gear.

In a statement the rugby club said they played the Rarotonga 15s invitational side.

“What a game it was. The Rarotonga side was loaded with big, fast skilful players, unlike any team we faced this year.”

The statement said that in a game played in four quarters and with rolling subs, Rarotonga scored early on in the first quarter to their giant winger.

Tairua hit back with a penalty to Logan Matai to be down 5-3 at quarter time.

The second quarter saw the Rarotonga side stretch out to 12-3 after another well-taken try.

However, Tairua struck back with an opportunistic try taken by Cade Eliot to be down 12-8 at the break. Rarotonga scored again in the 3rd quarter to extend the lead before another penalty goal had the game in the balance at 17-11.

However, the final quarter saw the Tairua boys tire and run out of steam due to spending the majority of the match tackling and on defence and playing with little ball against a very physical side so Rarotonga eventually ran out victorious 34-11.

Tairua played with incredible heart, attitude, and effort consistent with their whole season really, and should be very pleased with their efforts.

They acknowledged their supporters who travelled over to support the team.

In an earlier report, Cook Islands Rugby Union development manager Ben Koteka said the final scoreline did not do justice to the efforts of the Tairua team, who played with plenty of heart at Victoria Park in Tupapa.

“As expected, the Tairua team, who play in the Thames Valley competition in New Zealand, unfortunately they did run out of steam in the final quarter of this match,” Koteka said.

For Rarotonga team - strong-running winger Rudi Sifa scored a brace of tries, and number 8 Totoa Tuia stood out.

-Release