Eleven teams will be competing in the annual Boxing Day Mixed Touch Rugby competition on Tuesday, December 26 at the Ngatangiia Field.

Cook Islands Touch Association president, Julianne Westrupp is anticipating “a great day” at the Vodafone Boxing Day Mixed competition.

Westrupp said the registered teams will be participating in two categories – competitive and social.

Six teams will compete in the competitive category and five teams in the social category. 

After the round robin matches, Westrupp said for each category, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs. The first-place team will face the fourth-place team, while the second-place team will play the third-place team. The winners of these semifinals will then play in the finals

Westrupp said defending champions 007 is returning to defend their trophy in the competitive category.

However, Team Royales (Iro family) won’t be competing this year so the social trophy is up for grabs among the five teams that have registered.

In the competitive category, teams to look out for will be Outlaws led by Puna Hiro, Northern Stormers led by Tokz Charlie, Team KAPs led by Viiga (Mataroa) Reupena and Mavericks spearheaded by Noel Mani. 

Defending champs 007, a team with flare, speed and skill, will be led by father and son Andy and Adyn Kapi. 

Westrupp said anyone can win this competition, and it’s going to be exciting to watch.

In the social category, teams to look out for will be the Pepe family, who are here on holiday, led by Jamian Iroa, and there is the Cloud 9 Stallions led by Amani Ama and Juliou Tauu. Team Trix is making a comeback but this time not being led by Conrad Piri but his brother Terry.

Touch it like it Hot will be led by Rima Browne who is using the tournament to reunite with family.

“Gold medallist and family member (Lanihei Conolly) will be on the island, so will take a break from swimming and play with her cousin and throw the touch ball around.”

Social team Toaminators led by Mark Tuaiti and partner Natalia Short is another good team to look out for.

Cash prizes will be up for grabs along with Vodafone top ups and some other goodies. 

Food vendors will be at the venue, and the beach is right next to the field for a swim, Westrupp says.

First game kick offs at 9am. 

Meanwhile, the 2024 Beach Games touch competition will be held on January 8, 9 and 10 and the categories are mixed 14s, 18s and open grade. 

Fee is $10 per person. Register with CISNOC or with Westrupp.