Oceania 7s tournament

"From the Tongan perspective, we are so grateful that we were able to participate in the Oceania 7s tournament because it has helped to develop our skills as a team," she said.

She said the players learnt a great deal and had a wonderful experience.

"We are just grateful to be part of a system that works towards our benefit in order to develop our skills and our talents."

She said participating in the tournament had motivated them to continue with their training and develop the sport in Tonga.

The men’s quarter final draw has been decided based on Day 1 pool results while in the women’s tournament one round remains to determine who will play in the semi-finals of that event on Day 2.

In the men’s tournament Australia and an improved Samoa, two of the senior teams in the event, are on target to meet in the final and fight it out for the one automatic Olympic qualifying place. Both were unbeaten on Day 1 and clearly looked the best two sides in the tournament. Tonga and Papua New Guinea looked the next best teams and on form should be semi-finalists.

The Cook Islands Rugby Union (CIRU) this week released the 22-member squad. 

In a statement, CIRU says the national 7s head coach Chris Roden will be visiting Rarotonga from August 4 to 7 to observe the local talent at the Cook Islands Games 7s tournament to be played on August 6 and 7 at the BCI Stadium.

Roden has also visited overseas Cook Islands 7s players in Auckland and Melbourne.