Ozzie Cook Islands win again as NSW Samoa beat arch-rivals Tonga in the junior women’s competition at Harmony Nines.

The Ozzie Cook Islands continued their under-18 winning streak at the Harmony Nines, while a famous face in the crowd at the under-16 grand final helped NSW Samoa defeat long-time NSW rivals Tonga.

The two junior women’s divisions created many storylines.

NSW Westpac Blues winger and four-time Penrith Panthers NRL premiership winner Brian To’o was at the Croome Regional Sports Complex today to support niece Freedom Crichton Ropati as Samoa defeated Tonga 18-10 .

Tries from Jewel Fa’aoui and Sienna Iosefa either side at half-time saw Samoa break the 6-6 deadlock and extend the lead to 14-6. The two sides exchanged another try, but Samoa established a buffer.

“It’s always good to see Samoa at the top,” coach Justin Nio said with a smile.

“In fact, the girls did not have time for all the planned training sessions because the weather caused it to rain several times. So most of it was on Zoom calls and chats. But today they appeared. This is what happens when good level players come together.

“And with the Samoan senior girls winning in Suva (30-16 over Tonga at the Pacific Championships) and us today… it’s all about giving the girls opportunities.

“This can be a springboard for them to advance in their careers. The opportunities are now there – take advantage of them.”

There was a lot of emotion among the U16 players today. Captain Amelia-Grace Filoa accepted the winner’s trophy with her right arm in a sling due to an elbow injury in the second half but still managed to lift the cup.

The Cook Islands also had a big impact in the under-18 final, especially man of the match Trinity Tauanea’i, who scored a hat-trick in the 22-14 win over NSW Maori.

“Never in my life has this happened to me. But I have to thank the girls every time who passed the ball to me,” Tauaneai.

“We’ve been playing together for a while now. And now we went back to back. I’m very proud of it.”

Cook Islands coach Michael Stewart was also a proud man, and a successful one at that. He coached the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to a NSWRL Westpac Under-17 Lisa Fiaola Cup premiership in April.

Today’s victory underlined the Cook Islanders’ sterling reputation by securing yet another Harmony Nines trophy.

“It was just smart football. We got to the front early, kept the ball and enjoyed playing at a fast pace,” Stewart said.

“It’s great to be a part of the Cookies’ continued winning streak.” They weren’t nervous. They knew that if they did what we wanted them to do, they would win the game.”