Pacific

Crowd favourite sevens kicks off at mini games

08:35 am on 2 October 2009

The rugby union sevens tournament kicks off at the Pacific Mini Games in the Cook Islands today with Fiji tagged as the favourites.

The stadium is expected to be packed to watch the two day event unfold

The other ten teams taking part may have their hands full but are determined to give the Hong Kong sevens champions, Fiji, a good run for their money. Coach Iliesi Tanivula says while they've brought their best side, they won't take other teams lightly.

"I think the nine other teams they've come prepared, with only one goal in mind, to win gold, and that''s interesting all teams vying for one place, and it makes the competition harder, and lifts the standard of each team and each player."

Meanwhile Cook Islands assistant coach Terry Piri says they only have one purpose over the next two days.

We've only got one goal, which is to go for gold. And that's all we can do, and they boys will give 100 percent.

Tennis continues today along with squash, bowls, sailing and weightlifting, with Kiribati taking three golds yesterday. Meanwhile, Fiji have surged ahead on the medals table with 33, Tahiti 20, and New Caledonia, who took the trifecta in the womens triathlon are third with 18. Samoa have 12, and hosts Cook Islands 10.