The Cook Islands Moana has been eliminated from contention for a spot in the world cup following a 6-18 defeat against the Fiji Bulikula at the HFC Bank Stadium last Saturday.
Head coach Rusty Matua expressed his disappointment, stating that the Fijian team excelled in both attack and defense. “We weren’t good enough and congratulations to the Bulikula, who were much stronger and were able to maintain their momentum,” he remarked. Matua acknowledged the effort put in by the players but noted that their skills were lacking.
Despite entering the Pacific Championship with a solid build-up, Matua said the team was unexpectedly challenged by the Bulikula. “Fiji showed up and demonstrated how to play, particularly in their dominance of the ruck,” he added.
Captain Kiana Takairangi expressed gratitude for the support from fans, even in the wake of the loss. She conveyed her feelings of disappointment, saying, “It’s a disappointing loss for our team and our nation; we don’t know if we will get another chance, so we’ll wait and see what happens.” Takairangi considered it a privilege to captain the team alongside her brother, Brad Takairangi, who leads the Cook Islands Aitu men’s team.
“The pride of being Cook Islanders and sharing this experience together in Fiji is truly special,” she noted.
Coach Matua also took the opportunity to thank the Fijian people for their hospitality during the tournament. He expressed appreciation for the National Rugby League (NRL) for organizing the competition, describing it as an honor and privilege to represent their heritage and Pacific culture. He extended his gratitude to the Fijian people and the NRL.
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