Greece and Cook Islands Shine at NSWRL Harmony Nines

In an exhilarating day of rugby league action at the NSWRL Harmony Nines, debuted teams Greece and the Cook Islands made their mark by clinching titles in their respective divisions at the Croom Regional Sporting Complex.

In the Open Men's Emerging division, Greece emerged victorious against South Sudan, securing their first title with a 16-8 win. Despite a temporary setback when Tyrone Tsagalias received a three-minute sin-bin in the second half, the Greek side bounced back with Leon Bakis scoring a crucial try to seal their win.

Meanwhile, in the Open Men's division, the Cook Islands delivered a nail-biting finale. With just seconds to spare, Shaiquan Terekia charged through the NSW First Nations Indigenous defense to score a try under the posts, leading his team to an 18-14 victory. The First Nations team had briefly taken the lead, scoring in the 14th minute to go ahead 14-12, but the Cook Islanders rallied and won the trophy with their last-gasp effort.

Captain Michael Lett, pictured proudly hoisting the cup, accepted the award from NSW Women's Origin fullback Emma Tonegato. Coach Richard Dean expressed his delight, noting that “After falling short in the semi-finals last year, we promised ourselves to change our destiny this time. Despite limited preparation, our familiarity and teamwork from recent competitions helped us achieve our goal.”

The triumphs of both Greece and the Cook Islands have brought international attention to the Harmony Nines, displaying the event's spirit and competitive nature. For Greece, winning at their first tournament appearance was a momentous achievement. Proudly waving their nation's flag, Coach Jim Pizanias lauded his young team – some players as young as 17 – for showing resilience and embodying their cultural heritage.

Player of the match, Eddie Markopoulos, who received his medal from Tonegato, credited the victory to cohesive teamwork. Captain Anthony Halikas echoed similar sentiments, asserting that their historic win lays a foundation for future participation. “Being Greece's first team here and clinching the title means everything to us. We are eager to return and defend our championship next year.”

Both nations have demonstrated that even small communities can make a significant impact on the global rugby league stage, adding their unique narratives to the Harmony Nines legacy.