Arorangi Bears premier men are a win away from a rare double in the Cook Islands Rugby League domestic competition.

The side started the 2025 season on a high with the League Nines in Paradise title in January, and after a jittery start, the Bears are in the final of the Rarotonga League 13s competition this weekend.

In the final to be held this Saturday at the National Stadium in Nikao, the Andrew Purua-captained side will battle the unbeaten Tupapa Panthers.

The Bears, who finished second after the preliminary rounds, played the Panthers in the top place playoff earlier this month but lost 10-36.

In the semi-final held last Friday at Raemaru Park, the Bears proved too strong for the Titikaveka Bulldogs, winning 20-4 to secure their spot in the showdown.

After the win against the Bulldogs, Bears skipper Purua congratulated them on a stellar season, including their shock win against the Bears in week one of the competition.

“They started off the season with a big win against us. And, you know, today it just showed that we wanted it a bit more,” Purua told Cook Islands Rugby League.

“Coming into this game on home ground, the pressure was on us and just glad of the boys’ performance. They were able to dig deep and come through with the win for our home supporters.”

With the Panthers standing in the way of a rare double this season, Purua acknowledged the final would be tough.

“They’re a well-experienced, well-coached team. So for us to get over them … we’ve done it before. There’s no reason that I see that we can’t get it done again,” he said.

Purua said they have to put more effort into discipline and cut out the mistakes.

“We clean up our errors and I think we should put up a better game than we have been all season against them. But that’s credit to them for, like I said, being the benchmark team this year.

“So we look forward to the challenge ahead for us.”

Purua thanked all the supporters for coming to support both the Bears and the Bulldogs.

“Home ground, we couldn’t have asked for a better semi-final venue for us. Definitely felt the love for both teams, you know. It wasn’t just our supporters out here.

“Without our supporters being out here, it just kind of feels like we’re doing it all for nothing so knowing that we have our community backing us, it just gives us that extra edge to do what we love to do.”

The finals will kick off with the Mini Mods at 10am and will culminate with the men’s premiership showdown, which kicks off at 4pm. Entry fee is $5 for adults and $2 for teens. For children 12 years and under, entry is free.