Motu Koita names side for Cook Isands tour

Sports

MOTU Koita Rugby League Association have named a men’s train on squad (Lagatois) for the Cook Island tour in October.
MKRLA chairman Dai Boe said their association’s objective for a Cook Island tour is to strengthen their historical ties during pre-independence time when Christian missionaries from Cook Islands visited the Motu Koita area that could also create a pathway for their association.
Boe said the players were selected and appointed based on their participation, commitment, dedication and performance during the recent Southern Confederate trials (August 13-19) in Port Moresby.
“The naming of this train-on squad is an achievement for a young league only in its second year of running a regular rugby league competition,” Boe said.
Now that the train-on squad is named, Boe said a 10-week gruelling training programme is in the pipeline and set for the squad to attend to qualify for the 25-man final squad.
“The Lagatois team will also benefit from the services of former Kumul captain and coach John Wagambie and former Canberra Raiders, Parramatta Eels and former Kumuls prop David Westley,” Boe said.
“Westley will in in charge of monitoring and training the train-on squad until the squad is finalised by next month.
Chairman Boe added that while Westley was training the squad he would also assist the Motu Koita rugby league to establish a women’s competition next season.
Motu Koita Lagatois train-on squad: Sakavai Gebai, Murphy Eddie, Michael Aimari, Michael Miro, Pipi Gari, Oala Frank, Lega Ikoi, Guba Raka, Cosman Rahe, Egi Kila, Dika Dile, Kevau Boge, Robin Pala, Rokai Numa, Maxwell John, Gregor Misi, Maxwell Doriga, Tom Willie, Whallen Tauloi, Vincent Hiuvi, Homoka Baeau, Roni Dabu, Matagu Guba, Opao Matthew, Linus Dick, Andrew Homoka, La’a Hila, Rausi Dikana, Timo John, Iru Dikana, Buli Henao, Gumasa Ageve, Kevin Gamu, Jason Gulo; Coach – David Westley.