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http://www.cookislandsnews.com/sport/league/item/73243-league-after-new-name
League after new name
Saturday June 29, 2019 Written by Rashneel Kumar Published in League
Brad Takairangi (centre) is the skipper of the Cook Islands rugby league side which is after a new name.
The Cook Islands rugby league is looking for a new name.
The team is called the Kukis by the local and international media but the Cook Islands Rugby League Association wants a proper name for the side.
The association is putting a prize money of $250 plus a full playing set of the World Cup Nines 2019 gear to the winner who will come up with the winning name.
Cook Islands Rugby League president Charles Carlson said the name issue had been on the agenda for some time but they were unable to make any progress on it.
“After a successful win over South Africa 66-6, Cook Islands Rugby League is now seriously considering a name for its rugby league team as we prepare for the Rugby League World Nines in October and the clash with USA in November for the final decider of the World Cup 2021,” Carlson said.
“We have been discussing this name issue for a while now says Carlson but haven’t agreed on a name so perhaps let’s put it out to the public for them to come up with a name.”
Names such as Cook Islands Warriors, Kukis, Aito, Aitu have been banded around but none of them have stuck, Carlson said.
“We have the New Zealand Kiwis, Toa Samoa, Mate Ma’a Tonga, Fiji Bati etc., so be good to come up with a name to reflect our Cook Islands culture.”
The new name will spearhead the national team’s campaign in the Rugby League World Nines and the World Cup 2021 qualifier against USA.
Carlson said the goal is to get back on the international stage.
“We are only one game away from making that come true. Cook Islands Rugby League had nine debutants in the squad that played South Africa which can be a risk at this level of competition.
“However coach Tony Iro was confident that this young squad led by some very experience players will be up to the task.
“We now have nine new players to be added to the pool of players. This is good with a bigger pool of players to select from and everyone will have to work hard to get into the squad. “
Meanwhile NRL.com this week reported that the Cook Islands are set to replace Lebanon in next year’s mid-season Tests and will join New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea in the 2020 Oceania Cup.
The newly created Oceania Cup began last Friday night, with the Kiwis defeating Tonga and Samoa beating PNG in round one matches, and will continue at the end of this season when Australia and Fiji join the tournament.
The Kangaroos will host the Kiwis at WIN Stadium on October 25 and meet Tonga a week later as part of a triple-header at Eden Park in Auckland.
However, Australia is touring Britain at the end of the 2020 season so the Kangaroos can't play in the Oceania Cup and their place will be taken by Cook Islands.
For name suggestion of Cook Islands league team, contact Carlson on charles.carlson@cookislands.gov.ck or Cook Islands News editor@cookislandsnews.com.
League after new name
Saturday June 29, 2019 Written by Rashneel Kumar Published in League
The Cook Islands rugby league is looking for a new name.
The team is called the Kukis by the local and international media but the Cook Islands Rugby League Association wants a proper name for the side.
The association is putting a prize money of $250 plus a full playing set of the World Cup Nines 2019 gear to the winner who will come up with the winning name.
Cook Islands Rugby League president Charles Carlson said the name issue had been on the agenda for some time but they were unable to make any progress on it.
“After a successful win over South Africa 66-6, Cook Islands Rugby League is now seriously considering a name for its rugby league team as we prepare for the Rugby League World Nines in October and the clash with USA in November for the final decider of the World Cup 2021,” Carlson said.
“We have been discussing this name issue for a while now says Carlson but haven’t agreed on a name so perhaps let’s put it out to the public for them to come up with a name.”
Names such as Cook Islands Warriors, Kukis, Aito, Aitu have been banded around but none of them have stuck, Carlson said.
“We have the New Zealand Kiwis, Toa Samoa, Mate Ma’a Tonga, Fiji Bati etc., so be good to come up with a name to reflect our Cook Islands culture.”
The new name will spearhead the national team’s campaign in the Rugby League World Nines and the World Cup 2021 qualifier against USA.
Carlson said the goal is to get back on the international stage.
“We are only one game away from making that come true. Cook Islands Rugby League had nine debutants in the squad that played South Africa which can be a risk at this level of competition.
“However coach Tony Iro was confident that this young squad led by some very experience players will be up to the task.
“We now have nine new players to be added to the pool of players. This is good with a bigger pool of players to select from and everyone will have to work hard to get into the squad. “
Meanwhile NRL.com this week reported that the Cook Islands are set to replace Lebanon in next year’s mid-season Tests and will join New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea in the 2020 Oceania Cup.
The newly created Oceania Cup began last Friday night, with the Kiwis defeating Tonga and Samoa beating PNG in round one matches, and will continue at the end of this season when Australia and Fiji join the tournament.
The Kangaroos will host the Kiwis at WIN Stadium on October 25 and meet Tonga a week later as part of a triple-header at Eden Park in Auckland.
However, Australia is touring Britain at the end of the 2020 season so the Kangaroos can't play in the Oceania Cup and their place will be taken by Cook Islands.
For name suggestion of Cook Islands league team, contact Carlson on charles.carlson@cookislands.gov.ck or Cook Islands News editor@cookislandsnews.com.
