Photo: Mau George of Aitutaki could have been mistaken for the great Jonah Lomu with his big fends and awesome runs trampling any player in his way. 09092933
The Cook Islands league team came very close to a gold medal yesterday but the flighty Fijians dashed their hopes after beating the Cooks 20-12 in the gold medal final.
The local league team’s journey to the gold medal match has been a humorous one for supporters who watched their team get beaten twice and draw once on the first day of competition.
That put the Cooks dead last in the four team competition with their first up semi final match against round leaders Samoa.
Before the game, league assistant coach, technical advisor and all rounder Ina Konito said that the outcome of the round competition was all part of the team’s grand plan.
“We weren’t there to win on the first day, but today (Tuesday) we are going to open up,” he said.
And they sure did open up Samoa in the semi finals with a barn storming 16-6 win over the leaders, dashing their hopes of getting to the gold medal finals.
Spoon Marsters got the side on the board first with a sneaky little try which was converted by team captain Turori Matutu.
Then Aitutakian Mau George showed his true skills in being a human steam roller when he drove over the Samoan defence to dot down the Cooks’ second try.
In fact, the all-rounder who won a bronze medal in shotput last week, could have been mistaken for the great Jonah Lomu with his big fends and his awesome runs trampling defending players gutsy enough to get in his way.
The team put Samoa away 16-6 to cruise to the gold medal finals.
But the Pacific sevens kings, Fiji, were just too fast for the Cooks smashing them 20-12 for the gold medal.
The bronze medal was eventually won by Samoa who managed to edge out a tough Tongan side 26-24.
The local boys should be proud of their silver medals after what seemed like a bleak day at the office on the first day of the competition. - Matariki Wilson: Cook Islands News
Aitutaki Mau George leaves two Samoan defenders in his wake and sets his eyes on trampling another as he barges his way to the try line in his team’s semi final against Samoa. 09092932
Last Modified on 03/10/2009 07:35