Rugby league in the Cook Islands
Rugby league is the most popular[1] team sport played in the Cook Islands. Rugby league is recognised as the national sport of the country.
| Rugby league in the Cook Islands | |
|---|---|
| Country | Cook Islands |
| National team(s) | Cook Islands |
| First played | 1980 |
Popularity
History
Officially the club rugby league competition commenced 1980. The first international match was played against Niue at the 1986 Pacific Cup which was hosted in Rarotonga and also included teams from Samoa, Tonga, NZ Maori and Tokelau. In the mid 1990s rugby league in the Cook Islands received significant funding through the SuperLeague organisation. Traditionally, much of the rugby league played by Cook Islanders has been in Australia and New Zealand where there are strong Cook Island populations.
In more recent times, Cook Islands rugby league has received a major boost through the involvement of former professional rugby league players Kevin Iro and Matt Rua - both native Cook Islanders - in the form of selector and defensive coach for the national side.[2] Both players represented New Zealand internationally and played many NRL games.
Rugby league is the national sport and the most popular sport in the Cook Islands.
Staff
Current players of Cook Island descent
Notable players
Competition
The domestic Cook Islands rugby league competition for 2010 begins on 5 February with the following teams competing:
Teams
- Titikaveka Bulldogs
- Tupapa Panthers
- Avatiu Eels
- Takuvaine Warriors - juniors only
- Arorangi Bears
- Aitutaki Sharks - senior team only
- Ngatangiia/Matavera Sea Eagles
Winners
- 1994 Ngatangiia/Matavera Sea Eagles
- 1995 Ngatangiia/Matavera Sea Eagles
- 1996 Ngatangiia/Matavera Sea Eagles
- 1997 Ngatangiia/Matavera Sea Eagles
- 1998 Ngatangiia/Matavera Sea Eagles - 26-25 - Titikaveka Bulldogs
- 1999 Avatiu Eels - bt - Arorangi Bears
- 2000
- 2001 Titikaveka Bulldogs - 33-8 - Aviatu Eels
- 2002 Titikaveka Bulldogs
- 2003 Arorangi Bears - 35-34 - Tupapa Panthers
- 2004 Avatiu Eels - 14-8 - Tupapa Panthers
- 2005 Tupapa Panthers - 24-12 - Titikaveka Bulldogs
- 2006 Avatiu Eels - 28-24 - St. George Pitbulls
- 2007 Avatiu Eels - 22-17 - Arorangi Bears
- 2008 Tupapa Panthers - 21-6 - Avatiu Eels
- 2009 Tupapa Panthers - 25-16 - Avatiu Eels
- 2010 Avatiu Eels - 28-16- Tupapa Panthers
- 2011 Avatiu Eels
- 2012 Titikaveka Bulldogs 9-8 Avatiu Eels
The National Team
Other representative sides
In 2005 the Cook Islands Rugby League Avaiki XIII Tri Series was played between three Cook Island sides (Australian Cook Island Style, NZ Cooks and a Resident XIII). The winners of the series were the Australian Cook Islands Style team. This was used to select the national side that drew a three match series with the New Zealand Māori
Results
NZ Cooks v Resident XIII, 25 November 2005
Australian Cook Island Style 26 NZ Cooks 14
Australian Cook Island Style 24 Residents XIII 18, 18 November 2005 changed