Cook Islands Rugby Union is excited to announce and confirm that the RARO Rugby 7’s Tournament will proceed this year, following the same format of last year’s adjusted programme.

The event - usually held over three days - has been reduced to a two-day event to be played on Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th of December.

Even during this time of uncertainty with various New Zealand teams withdrawing, CIRU has decided to still continue with the iconic sevens tournament which has captured the heart of the nation for the past 32 years since its inception in 1990.

There will be two divisions, Senior Mens and Womens, and also an U17 Youth (Boys & Girls).

The registration fees are; Senior Mens $400, Womens $200 and the U17 Youth teams $50 each.

To ensure a quality tournament there will be limited team numbers. 

Jessie Sword, event supporter said the adjusted format to the event was first put in place last year due to the effects of Covid-19.

This year’s event will be run with a similar format to last year’s, she added.

She said that pre Covid-19, the event took place over the span of three days with overseas teams as well as local teams taking part.

Last year, with Covid-19 hitting and impacting many things on the island including sporting events, CIRU was forced to adapt and organise the new RARO 7’s tournament.

The tournament will be purely local participation.

“We have been going for 32 years.

“We want to keep that momentum and not let Covid-19 beat us,” Sword said.

“Overseas teams are upset that they couldn’t attend, but it can’t be helped.”

Despite the withdrawal of international teams, there has been continued interest from the local community.  

“While we have been disappointed with no international participation this year, the event is still going ahead,” Sword said.

The interest was still very much there last year, and rolling on from the success of last year’s Cook Islands sames, a lot of island pride is expected at this year's games, she added.

Local clubs as well as regular teams who have come forward to participate in the past are already lined up and registered, and are looking forward to getting out on the field and playing hard as they have always done, Sword said.