Knights plot Cook Islands win in Tamworth international

Newcastle Knights teammates Keith Lulia and Zeb Taia scored the first two tries for Cook Islands in their 26-22 victory over NSW Country in a spirited rugby league international at Scully Park, Tamworth, on Saturday night.
Their brothers Lulia Lulia and Ben Taia also touched down for the 2009 Pacific Cup runners-up, who cleared out to a comfortable lead early in the second half but conceded three late tries.
Playing in the centres, Keith Lulia chased Alex Glenn’s grubber and beat premiership-winning Maitland winger Willie Pole’o to the ball to score the opening try in the first minute.
Zeb Taia was next across the line a few minutes later after Glenn darted out of dummy-half and flicked an inside pass for the first-time Cook Islands captain to race over and score.
“My back’s a little bit sore but I pulled up OK,” Taia said last night.
“It was a pretty physical game but we always expected that from them, but it was all good.
“The score should have been bigger than what it was.
“We never looked like we were going to lose, because we led 14-6 at half-time then scored two quick tries after that but there were some moments where we didn’t capitalise on some opportunities or suffocate them a bit more.”
Lulia, who was playing his first game since tearing knee ligaments in a NSW Cup game for Central Coast Centurions against Auckland on July 17, said he enjoyed the hit-out before starting pre-season training with the Knights on November 8.
“I’ve got a few bumps and bruises but my knee pulled up good and I didn’t feel it at all, so that was the main thing,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to a couple of weeks off now but it was good to get a game under my belt before we start training again.”
Western Suburbs Newcastle utility back Sam Wooden scored two tries for NSW Country and Maitland outside back Hayden Crouch crossed for a four-pointer.
“We just did enough throughout the game to stay in front and the Country boys had a dig,” Cook Islands coach David Fairleigh said.

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