Under 19 play

The Cook Islands under 19 rugby team will face Vanuatu today at 1pm (2pm local time) for their final pool game of the FORU Tournament in Samoa.

After the team’s one-point 15-14 win over PNG on Friday the team has been on a high and were honoured when they were paid a visit by family members of Vaivase and Ailoa Samania from Vaivase Tai. In fact the team received a gift from the mother of the Samania brothers and an invite to host them through the week. The team was hosted on Saturday night by the Cook Islands community in Samoa at the Manumea Hotel owned by Luana and Noman Paul in Vailima.

After the kaikai, the team performed their drum dance, haka and ura piani much to the appreciation of the hosts. The team starting line-up for today’s match are – Michael Aumata, Terong Tekii, Josh Tararo, Ben Tautu, Bon Maui, Nga Simiona, Luke Bowden, Tinomana Kaue, Andrew Hanara, Nadave Tereapii, Liston Togia, Adam Tangata, Mark Tuaati, Sema Robati and Justin Marsters.