U19 wins friendly 67-5

The Cook Islands under 19 rugby team have begun their FORU Tournament campaign in Samoa with a 67-5 win in their ‘friendly’ match against American Samoa.

The team faces Papua New Guinea today in what should be a very exciting game.

The 26-man strong squad includes seven local based players under the guidance of coach Damien Beddoes assisted by George Metuaroa, trainer Keith Roberts and team manager Paul Rolton.

Should the CI team be successful in qualifying at this 2010 tournament in Samoa, they will qualify to attend the Under 20 World Trophy tournaments in the next two years.

Local players in the starting line-up for today’s match against PNG include Aitutaki’s Nga Simiona at blindside flanker, Tupapa’s first five-eighths Wallace Aroita and the mid-field pairing of Adam Tangata (Avatiu) and Mark Tuaati (Ngatangiia).

The team are in good-spirits and are being well looked after by the local Samoa community from the Avele College where the team are being accommodated together with support from the Cook Islands community in Samoa. - MW

CI under 19 squad: (forwards) Murphy Taramai (No 8-Wellington), Terongo Tekii (hooker/prop-Wellington), Josh Tararo (hooker/prop-Wellington), Aumata (hooker/prop-Wellington), James Pakoti (prop-Rotorua), Seth Schenk (prop-Rotorua), Kairan Mahia (lock-Christchurch), Bon Maui (lock-Auckland), Richard Connal (lock-Auckland), Luke Boden (loose forward-Wellington), Josh Rand (loose forward-Hamilton), Tinomana Kaue (loose rorward-Auckland), Nga Simiona (loose forward-Aitutaki), Jaquille Teautaua (loose forward-Brisbane), (Backs) Andrew Hanara (halfback-Manawatu), Wallace Aroita (1st 5/8-Rarotonga), Adam Tangata (mid field-Rarotonga), Tuaati (mid field-Rarotonga), Louis Devery (mid field-Auckland), Justin Marsters (mid field-Melbourne), Charles Teraitau (winger-Auckland), Axton Daniels (winger-Auckland), Togia (utility-Hamilton), Sema Robati (utiliy-Rarotonga), Tave Tereapii (utility-Rarotonga

and Owen Karatai (fullback-Wellington).