Jazmon Tupou-Witchman has made a significant decision to continue representing her mother’s Cook Islands heritage, leading to a historic achievement for the Cook Islands women’s rugby league team. Tupou-Witchman was instrumental in the Moana’s 42-24 victory over Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby, which marked the first major trophy in the nation’s sporting history—the women’s Pacific Bowl. This accomplishment is especially poignant for a nation that has competed in the Olympic Games since 1988 without winning a medal but has previously enjoyed 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.
In her role, Moana captain Kiana Takairangi expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement, stating, “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 victory stands out as a beacon of hope for the Cook Islands, whose athletes have faced challenging years without significant results until now.
Tupou-Witchman’s choice to play for the Moana over the revamped Tonga team has galvanized the squad, especially under the new guidance of coach Ronald Griffiths, who previously led the Knights to consecutive NRLW premierships in 2022 and 2023. Griffiths praised Tupou-Witchman’s dedication, revealing that just weeks before the Pacific Championships, she was uncertain whether to join Moana or Tonga. His encouragement led her to choose the Moana, ultimately earning her a place in the history of Cook Islands rugby.
Following their recent successes, the Cook Islands women’s team has its sights set on the standalone Women’s World Cup scheduled for 2028. Griffiths is preparing for this future with the inclusion of promising young players like Deleni Paitai, who showcased her talent earlier in the year and chose to represent her heritage.
The atmosphere surrounding the Moana remains optimistic, with potential new talent from the Cook Islands also considering joining the squad, including prominent figures like Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls. Griffiths emphasized the importance of having a vision and a belief system that fosters unity and pride in the team’s efforts, especially when competing against larger nations.
As the Moana celebrates their recent triumph, there is an overwhelming sense of hope and determination moving forward. The future looks bright as the team builds a strong foundation for achieving greater accolades in international rugby league.