Rugby League World Cup Preview: Cook Islands

At The Sporting Base, we will be previewing all 16 Rugby League World Cup nations ahead of the men’s tournament’s kick-off on 15 October. Having now reached Group D, we look at the Cook Islands and whether or not they can cause a sneaky upset and qualify beyond the group stage.

IRL Ranking: 20th

Group: D

Schedule: Wales (Leigh Sports Village, Leigh); Papua New Guinea (Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington); Tonga (Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough)

World Cup Appearances: 2 (2000, 2013)

Best Result: Group stage (2000, 2013)

Head Coach: Tony Iro

Title Odds: $501

The Cook Islands will make their return to the Rugby League World Cup after a nine-year absence and will set their sights on advancing past the group stage for the first time in their history.

The Kukis’ last international outing was earlier this year against the Sāmoans at Campbelltown where they were beaten 42-12.

Their last World Cup appearance was in 2013 where they came up with a win over Wales but losses against Tonga and the United States.

Their campaign this year will kick-off against Wales in Leigh before facing Papua New Guinea in Warrington and Tonga in Middlesbrough. Their clash against the Welsh presents as their most winnable, however, they will likely need to find a win against Papua New Guinea or Tonga to advance beyond the group stage.

Star centre Valentine Holmes, whose Cowboys will play in a Grand Final qualifier this Friday night, is yet to announce whether he will represent the Cook Islands or Australia at the World Cup but has spoken with Kukis head coach Tony Iro.

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Holmes played in all six of Australia’s wins at the 2017 World Cup scoring an unbelievable 12 tries and has been one of the NRL’s most productive centres this season.

If the Kukis secure the major coup of Holmes, he could choose between fullback, wing, and centre roles, however, they have reasonable depth without.

Kayal Iro, nephew of head coach Tony, lined up at fullback for the Cook Islands in their midseason test and made his debut later in the year for the Sharks before being awarded the NSW Cup Player of the Year Award.

Steven Marsters and Geoff Daniela lined up on the wing for the Kukis earlier this year with Anthony Gelling and Reubenn Rennie in the centres. Hull K.R.’s Brad Takairangi has not played since May but is a Cook Islands veteran and will likely find himself in the side somewhere, potentially in the centres, whilst Esan Marsters, who wore the six jersey and skippered the side against Sāmoa, may be shifted into his natural centre position. London Broncos winger Paul Ulberg is also an option for Iro.

Lower-grader Reece Joyce lined up in the halves alongside Marsters midyear and will compete for a spot in the halves along with Featherstone’s Jonathan Ford and Blacktown’s Troy Dargan whilst Marsters and Takairangi have played there before.

Wakefield’s Tinirau Arona and Central Queensland’s Aaron Teroi shared hooking duties against Sāmoa whilst Wests Tigers youngster Rua Ngatikaura may also be considered.

Their forward pack is where their strength lies with NRLers Makahesi Makatoa, Davvy Moale, T.C. Robati, Brendan Piakura, Xavier Willison, Michael Molo and Tepai Moeroa all a chance to travel to the UK to combine with Super Leaguers Dylan Napa, Zane Tetevano, Kenny Edwards and Dominique Peyroux. Reserve-graders Pride Petterson-Robati, Vincent Rennie, Nathaniel Peteru, Moses Noovao-McGreal, Reuben Porter, Kobe Tararo, William Samuel and Adam Tangata also firm as depth options for Iro.

The Kukis will expect to take care of business against the Welsh and will be hopeful of causing an upset against a strong Kumuls unit which would be enough to earn a maiden quarterfinals berth. The top-end talent may not rival that of some nation’s they will compete against but there is a fair bit to like about this Cook Islands squad.

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