Cook Islands Residents head coach Clive Nicholas has named a squad of 27 players for a training camp as they prepare for the Cook Islands Tri-Series – the Mantis-Hoff Cup set to take place in Melbourne this October.

The selected players, drawn from the Tupapa Panthers, Avatiu Eels and Takuvaine Reds, were expected to assemble at camp on Saturday which would be the first step in preparing the team for the Tri-Series and for future State of Origin-style domestic clashes.

Nicholas had said those that did not make it on Saturday would be replaced.

“It’s about setting the bar and instilling professionalism into rep teams. We started that last year but we want to go another level so we expect during the Easter break, we’re going to be holding a camp on the town side, for the state of origin for the country after this season.”

Nicholas said the focus is to identify talent early and allow combinations and team culture to build well before matches are played.

“The objective here is just to identify players and our plans that, myself once (had) and for players to start getting to starting to create relationships and combinations before they will be trained played in another four or five weeks time.

“Why it's been for the evening kind of because of that Australian state origin concept where throughout the season, they pull the players they want and they have a break.

“They have a break of club commitments and they go into camp, they go into camp way before the search and state origin tournament competition happens.”

He believes the early start to preparations will help players raise their game.

“Get people in early, get their mindset in early, set combinations, set relationships and it gives a higher purpose so when the players go back to their club they know that they've got to lift their game because they've been selected for something higher than them.”

Nicholas says the team is expected to fly out to Australia in October.

“So everything works out and for years nothing has been done. In our Cook Islands Rugby League even the referees association, we want us to follow their rules they’ve adopted from NRL. And your following is one thing but putting into action is the main thing. So we can't just follow what the referees and what CIRL want us to do.”

He also emphasised the need for a shift in mindset for both players and the local league.

“We know the boys here, the players here, we need to adopt a more professional mindset to footy. Otherwise it's just a waste of time playing footy on the island, just playing against Tupapa, playing against Arorangi and then after this season then it’s done.

“In Australia and New Zealand there’s rep footies and it just carries on and it builds the person's or individuals’ love for the sport, builds their attributes and builds their interests so they want to play.

“And then when you want to play the competition becomes high and when the competition is high you bring the crowds. Then at the end of the day then they win. At the end of the day Cook Islands would be wins indeed.”

Selected players for last Saturday’s Cook Islands Residents camp- TUPAPA PANTHERS: Eric Newbigging, Alistair Newbigging, Jason Putoru, John Noovao, Ozwell Tunupopo, Okirua Naea, Ollie Willie, Tevii Ngametua, Mafu Kalas, Peter Lagi, Rudi Sifa, Andickson Yamason, From AVATIU EELS: Tamatoa Nicholas, Josh Motu, Puna Hiro, Kaleb Chase, Adyn Kapi, Nuku Tetava, Toru Katuke, Bill Temo, Jale Lagidela, Viiga Reupena, Josh Koroi, From TKV REDS: Pereti Gogo, Isei Yali