A new-look Cook Islands sevens team assembles in Auckland on Friday ahead of the next of the IRB World Series in Wellington next weekend.
Coach Ramsey Tokomino has named eight world series debutants in his 12-man squad, which includes players based in New Zealand, Australia and Rarotonga.
He says the team is looking as fit and strong as they've ever been.
"The body shape of our boys are a lot different this year also. They were all training at One Tree Hill the other day and they all ended up taking shirts off and one of the guys commented that this is probably the best looking, muscular looking side that we've had in a long time. Obviously guys have adhered to what we've been saying about changing their body shapes and just having a look at the other athletes around them."
Ramsey Tokomino says the team is competing at a Fijian sevens tournament in Auckland this weekend before heading down to Wellington.
