Interstate Origin Series Decider

Following last week’s come-from-behind win over the Town Blues in the Cook Islands Rugby Union Interstate Origin Series at Terevete Park in Awatiu, the series will today move to Nukupure Park in Muri.

This week’s games are set to be even more exciting as both teams will be fielding their top players who were rested in the second round.

In the first round, the Town Blues defeated the Country Maroons 20-16 in overtime. In the second game, the Maroons bounced back and beat the Blues 32-26.

Both coaches will need to be highly strategic as their decisions will greatly affect the course of the game.

Maroons coach Dion Nepia praised his team’s recent performances but also noted areas for improvement.

“We looked at a few areas that needed to change in our offense, and I felt like we did a good job in all of them,” Nepia said. “But we still gave up some cheap points, and that’s something we need to address.”

“They will send big players for the decider, like Tua (Lavula), Tevita (Nyusama), Ozzie (Tunupopo), but we will see how it goes,” he said.

Coach Nepia will field a strong team today with the same starting lineups from the first and second rounds.

Elsewhere, Blues co-coach Clive Nicholas acknowledged his team’s shortcomings and outlined his team’s plan for the decisive game.

Nicholas stressed that strategic adjustments and strict execution were needed to counter the Maroons’ advantage.

In the women’s category, the Town Whites won the Conan Cup after defeating the Country Blacks in two tight games over the past two weeks.

The rural black team will compete against the strong white team in the final.

Fixtures

1:15pm U12; 2:15pm Women’s Town Whites – Country Blacks, 3:30pm Town Blues – Country Maroons,