The Spectator- 2014 Cabramatta International Nines Tournament Report

The 2014 Cabramatta international rugby league tournament took place under scorching conditions this year. As an avid footy fan I was delighted by the international flavours on display and of course the local talent from teams that come from across NSW. With 30 teams competing this year, I'd like to congratulate all involved for creating such a beautiful spectacle of rugby league. Thanks must go out to the organisers NSW rugby league and the Cabramatta Leagues club for supplying a wonderful venue the steak sandwiches went down a beaut also. Thanks must go out to the men in the middle also, without them we'd end up with a street fight. Last but not least the teams, youse were absolute stars out there and played the game in fine spirits. There may have or may not have been the odd shoulder charge? but from where I was watching from not one foul shot was fired.
   This year I was lucky enough to be invited by the Niuean coach Brendan Perenara aka Bman to follow the Niuean sides around for the day. Niue had two sides competing in the tournament Niue and the Niue development side. This opportunity not only allowed me to get up and close to the action of a rugby league side it also gave me a first hand insight of the challenges a minnow nation faces in the world of Rugby League. Financials and logistics are the biggest challenges for the Niuean side. And no doubt all the minnow nations have to face these challenges to get a team out on the paddock. The Niuean teams major sponsor at the moment is Kingsford Mitre ten which helps the Niuean side by providing a venue for the team to do BBQ fundraisers. For this tournament the Niuean side had 2 players come from New Zealand, 4 players from Melbourne and 3 from the Gold Coast. The rest are all Sydney based players. Before Dwayne Johnson stole the name, Niue is also affectionately known as "The Rock". The dream for the Niuean side is to have players from the rock represent. Bman is also using this tournament as a trial for an end of the year 13 aside international against the fast growing and talented Philippines' National Side.
 I also got to talk to Paul Ruri the coach of  the Canadian side between battles. The Canadian side had mainly Australian based Players. Two of the Canadians actually train with the Parramatta NRL side. Paul noted that, Since the Canadians have been exposed to the intensity and skills and drills of the NRL and the use of these skills in the Canadian Wolverines training regime the quality of the national 13 man side has risen sharply. He did mention the recent win over the Americans. Proof is in the pudding. I asked Paul why he does it? He said he had spent 9 years in Canada working and loved Canada so much that he decided to become Canadian originally from New Zealand.. He now resides in Queensland. He said he does it to give back to his country and to the game of rugby league. He is also the sponsor of the Canadian International Nines team. Talk about giving back. Keep up the good work Paul and congratulations to the Canadian sides 2014 Cabramatta International Nines Trophy win.
 There was a tonne of awesome stories today at this tournament the flair of the Australian Indigenous side, the Passion of the Japanese, the birth of the Latin Heat, and the ever present silky skills of the Fijians just to name a few.
 In my opinion it was a day well spent and I urge you guys to get out to the next one in 2015.

For the record the Victorious teams for the day were:

Cup Winners - Auburn Warriors defeat Philippines'

Trophy Winners -  Canada defeat Cabramatta 2

Shield Winners - Burwood North Ryde defeat  Niue

Bowl Winners - Hills Bulls defeat Niue Development side

Congratulations to all our winners in 2014.

If you are interested in Sponsorship opportunities with the Niuean side in the future contact Brendan Perenara (Bman) +61415184268 in Sydney.

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