Jazmon Tupou-Witchman has made a significant choice to celebrate her mother’s Cook Islands heritage, leading to a landmark achievement for the Cook Islands women’s rugby league team. Her performance was pivotal in the Moana’s 42-24 triumph over Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby, securing the first major trophy in the nation’s sports history—the women’s Pacific Bowl. This success is particularly meaningful for a country that has competed in the Olympic Games since 1988 without securing a medal, although it has proudly won a bronze in men’s pairs bowls at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a gold in women’s rugby league at the 2023 Pacific Games.
Captain Kiana Takairangi expressed immense pride in their victory, highlighting the heart, passion, and talent within the small nation. She remarked, “We’re a very small nation compared to some of the other teams that we come against, but there’s a lot of heart, passion, and talent among our people, so this means a lot.” This win is a beacon of hope for the Cook Islands, whose athletes have faced years of adversity without considerable successes until now.
Tupou-Witchman’s decision to join the Moana instead of the revamped Tonga team has invigorated the squad, especially under the leadership of coach Ronald Griffiths, who previously guided the Knights to consecutive NRLW premierships in 2022 and 2023. Griffiths praised her commitment, revealing that she deliberated over her choice until shortly before the Pacific Championships. His support was crucial in her decision to represent the Moana, a choice that has since made her a part of history in Cook Islands rugby.
Following their recent achievement, the Cook Islands women’s team is now setting its sights on the standalone Women’s World Cup slated for 2028. Griffiths is keen on building a strong team by bringing in promising young athletes such as Deleni Paitai, who has already demonstrated her abilities and chosen to uphold her heritage.
The atmosphere surrounding the Moana is one of optimism, with potential new talents, including notable figures like Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls, considering joining the squad. Griffiths emphasized the necessity of maintaining a vision and a belief system that promotes unity and pride, especially when competing against larger nations.
As the Moana revels in their recent victory, an overwhelming sense of hope and determination prevails for the future. With a solid foundation in place, the team is poised for greater successes in international rugby league, inspiring pride and unity within the Cook Islands community.