The Cook Islands rugby team have been beaten 19-12 by New Zealand provincial side Thames Valley in their first-hitout ahead of next weekend's World Cup qualifier.
After just two days training together a Cookies team without some of their first choice players struggled in the heavy rain in Paeroa on Monday night.
They round out their brief preparation on Wedensday night against the Blues Development team before playing the Flying Fijians in Lautoka next weekend.
The winner of that game will join England, Australia, Wales and a playoff winner in Pool A at next year's World Cup.
