This is the first Pacific Mini Games in which rugby league is played and Team Fiji is aiming to defend the gold medal it won at the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa.

Fiji is the reigning champion of the Pacific Games.

Fiji Bati chairman Peni Musunamasi said that it certainly will not be an easy tournament, especially as the Cook Islands team will be very strong on their home turf.

Musunamasi added that on paper Fiji should be in contention for the gold medal and he is confident that the new boys in the team will deliver, as they have prepared well in the past few months leading up to the championship.

Whoever wins gold in Rarotonga will prove to be the giant of the Pacific as far as rugby league is concerned in the Pacific.

Fiji leads the medal tally with 21 gold, 12 silver and 15 bronze, Tahiti is in second place with 19 gold, 16 silver and 13 bronze while New Caledonia lies in third place with 15 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze.

Today is 'Rest Day' in Rarotonga and the other games that will be held tomorrow include golf, sailing, squash, table tennis, tennis and touch rugby.