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The Pacific Mini Games has been marred by tragedy in the region following the devastating tsunami that has caused over 100 deaths in Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga.

According to authorities Rarotonga, currently hosting the Pacific Mini Games with more than 1,500 athletes present, appears to have escaped unharmed from the disaster with the event deemed safe to continue.

Despite the news all the events still took place today, with nations battling it out for medals and honour at the Mixed Touch and Rugby League Sevens competitions.

The Cook Islands lived up their favourites tag, taking Gold in the Mixed Touch event, courtesy of a tight 8-7 win over Fiji in the final. With the hosts also taking gold in the Men’s Open and Silver in the Women’s Open, it’s been a special week for the home side. Papa New Guinea (PNG) took the bronze medal with a 10-3 hammering of Nieu.

The winners went unbeaten in the round robin stages fending off fierce rivals Samoa (6-4), PNG (8-7) Fiji (12-9) and thrashing the lowly Tahiti 19-1 to illustrate their dominance.

Fiji did manage to extract some revenge though by beating the Cook Islands to to win gold in the Rugby League Sevens competition. The Fijians superior speed proved the difference in the 20-14 win over the hosts in an entertaining finale to the competition.

Fly-half Solomone Qetia’s try proved the decisive blow with a brace from Luke Osbourne also undoing the hosts. Samoa sneaked the bronze after a pulsating 26-24 win over Tonga.

The two day Rugby Union Sevens competition is set to start tomorrow (Thursday).
 

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