Matua named in Cook Islands squad for Pacific Championships

Boom NRLW rookie Chantay Kiria-Ratu, experienced back Kiana Takairangi and powerful forward Kerehitina Matua headline the Cook Islands team to take part in the Pacific Championships this year.

Kiria-Ratu played in her first season of NRLW this season helping the Gold Coast Titans to the grand final, but already showed a glimpse of what she can do in the global stage when representing the Cook Islands at the Rugby League World Cup last year.

"Playing off the back of the World Cup, that was a great experience for myself to get to know my culture and play for my people and my family," Kiria-Ratu told NRL.com of her experiences in the tournament last year.

"We're going away to PNG to play the PNG girls, so that'll be really exciting."

Overall, the squad has seven players in line to make their international debuts at the upcoming tournament, while returning players like Matua, Takairangi and Sharks youngster JazmonTupou-Witchman will provide plenty of guidance to the new crop in the squad.

The Cook Islands Vaine Moana squad will feature in Week 2 of the tournament and will take on Papua New Guinea.