The Cook Islands are keeping a positive frame of mind heading into their Rugby League World Cup opener against the United States next week.
The Kukis were thrashed 50-0 on Monday by defending World Champions New Zealand, in their only warm up game before the start of the tournament.
Despite the scoreline, team manager and former captain Kevin Iro says it's not all doom and gloom.
"There were periods in that game where we did compete, particularly we were pleased with last half of the first half where we held them out for a number of sets. We've got to take a few positives out of the game - obviously the scoreline wasn't crash hot but I mean we've got an average age in the squad of 22-23 so these young guys, I know they were really nervous before the game and it showed at some points, like I said they also showed some really good rugby league as well."
