The Cook Islands Residents rugby league team brought both grit and determination to the Tri Nations Mantis-Hoff Cup 2024, held at Runaway Bay Rugby League Football Club in Australia on Friday.

From the moment they touched down on the Gold Coast, the Rarotonga squad hit the ground running, kicking off their tour with intensive strength and conditioning sessions, setting the tone for the competition ahead.

As the tournament unfolded on Friday, teams from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Rarotonga – each proudly representing Cook Islanders – went head-to-head in a thrilling battle for top honours. The stage was set for an action-packed weekend of high-energy rugby.

In their opening match against a formidable New South Wales team, the Residents led confidently at halftime, demonstrating their fitness and preparation. However, a series of lapses in discipline saw the team lose momentum in the second half, allowing NSW to capitalise on mistakes and secure victory.

The second encounter, a tightly contested game against Melbourne Cooks, displayed the Residents’ resilience. The match remained neck-and-neck until the final moments when the Cook Islands squad snatched victory at the hooter, earning them a hard-fought win and a well-deserved boost in morale.

The final game, against a star-studded Gold Coast Cooks side, was undoubtedly the highlight of the tournament for the Cook Islands Residents.

Head Coach Clive Nicholas acknowledged the team’s commendable fitness and spirited play but emphasised the role of discipline in their narrow 16-12 loss.

“We were the fitter team, but our discipline let us down,” said Nicholas.

Despite their valiant efforts, the game was cut short due to an unfortunate injury, sealing a close defeat for the Residents.

Reflecting on the campaign, Nicholas stressed the importance of discipline moving forward, noting that the team has the physical edge but must focus on refining their composure under pressure to convert such hard-fought performances into consistent wins.