11 Jul 2011

Cook Islands MPs challenge McCully to rugby match

10:34 am on 11 July 2011

Members of the Cook Islands parliament are entertaining the thought of a friendly rugby match against New Zealand foreign minister Murray McCully and his delegation to the Pacific.

Mr McCully, a longstanding member of the NZ parliamentary rugby team, and more than 70 others land in Rarotonga this week.

His visit has prompted light-hearted discussion in the debating chamber of Cook Islands parliament.

The Cook Islands News reports the deputy leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen suggested the rugby match, although Prime Minister Henry Puna favours a round of golf.

Former All Black Jonah Lomu is part of the New Zealand delegation.