Islands take fight to Samoa
BEN Vaeau is no stranger to Barlow Park but he expects a new experience tonight when he lines up to represent the Cook Islands in an international Test match.
The former Northern Pride front-rower, who played for Brisbane Easts in the Queensland Cup this season, returns to the Far North tonight to play for his country against Samoa with a place in the Pacific Cup on the line.
The winner of tonight’s clash progresses to play Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Fiji in international league’s newest tournament.
And while Samoa boasts the stronger team on paper, Vaeau said that would count for nothing come kick-off.
"It’s different playing for your country, a different feeling and I’m very proud," Vaeau said.
"On paper they’ve got a good team but it’s what you do on the field that counts.
"We’re young, enthusiastic but at the same time we’re wary of our opponents." While the Cook Islands suffered a blow earlier in the week with the loss of Broncos utility Alex Glenn to groin surgery, the young group has pulled together and heads into the match optimistic.
A team building for the future, the youngsters are full of enthusiasm and keen to cause an upset on the field.
"I think they’re looking towards the future and there’s a lot of young blokes that will hopefully be hitting their straps around the (2013) World Cup and hopefully they’ll still be available for the Cook Islands," Vaeau said.
There’s plenty on the line for the winner, with progression to the Pacific Cup earning the chance for a berth in next year’s Four Nations tournament against Australia, England and New Zealand.
"That’s what it’s all about, you don’t want to be going home this weekend. "You want to be playing for the chance to advance to the Four Nations next year.
"I think for us, it’s a learning curve, so we’ll just try and do our best."
* Tickets for tonight’s match are available at Barlow Park from both the Spence St and Scott St entrances.
Gates open 3pm, with curtain-raisers at 4.40pm and 5.50pm, entertainment 7pm, main game kicks off at 7.30pm.
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The man, the islands: Cook Islands skipper Tere Glassie shows off his patriotic ink with teammates (from left), Arona Tinirau, Ben Vaeau and Fred Makimare. Picture: MARC McCORMACK
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