The Cook Islands rugby coach says his New Zealand based players have brought a new element to the team for Saturday's Oceania Cup final.
The Cooks will play Tahiti in Rarotonga, with the winner progressing to the repechage qualification round for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Members of the Cook Islands squad put in some promotional work before the Oceania final Photo: Cook Islands Rugby Union
Six players from New Zealand have bolstered the Cooks' ranks while eight players from France will turn out for Tahiti.
The Cooks' coach Walter Tangata said the New Zealand-based players brought energy to the squad.
"Since the New Zealand boys have come on they've added a little bit more urgency to the local players to keep them up to the level that we would like to be playing," Tangata said.
"At the same time because New Zealand has a higher level of rugby so it adds a little but of dynamics to how we want to play the games."
He said a key to success for his side would be speed and discipline, but Tangata said the team would also have to adapt to the referee's rulings.
"We've planned for a fast game.
"Our fitness levels are at that level that we are able but at the same time I think discipline will also be a key area," Tangata said.
"The referee is an international referee so we need to adapt very quickly to the refereeing interpretations."
