World Cup 2026 – Cook Islands Rugby League

Group A · Te Aitu

Fixtures

Times shown in Rarotonga time (CKT) and at the venue.

R1RLWC 2026

Fiji v Cook Islands

Sat 17 Oct, 7:05pm RarotongaSun 18 Oct, 4:05pm localMcDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

UpcomingMatch centre

R2RLWC 2026

New Zealand v Cook Islands

Sat 24 Oct, 7:05pm RarotongaSun 25 Oct, 6:05pm localOne NZ Stadium, Christchurch

UpcomingMatch centre

R3RLWC 2026

Australia v Cook Islands

Fri 30 Oct, 11:05pm RarotongaSat 31 Oct, 7:05pm localQueensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

UpcomingMatch centre

Group A

Ladder

Updated 11 Oct, 1:35pm CKT

#	Team	P	W	D	L	+/-	Pts
1	Australia	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	New Zealand	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Fiji	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Cook Islands	0	0	0	0	0	0

Head coach Karmichael Hunt

Aitu squad

23 players named 6 October 2026.

Cameron BrownBrisbane Tigers

Rhys DakinSydney Roosters

Glassie GlassieWests Tigers

Valentine HolmesSt George Illawarra Dragons

Esom IokaBrisbane Tigers

KL IroCronulla SharksCo-captain

Chaev KoloneCanberra Raiders

Makahesi MakatoaSydney Roosters

Esan MarstersBradford Bulls

Amare MilfordMelbourne Storm

Davvy MoaleMelbourne Storm

K-CI Newton-WhareMelbourne Storm

Rua NgatikauraNorth Sydney Bears

Marata NiukoreNew Zealand WarriorsCo-captain

Pride Petterson-RobatiSouths Logan Magpies

Reuben PorterSt George Illawarra Dragons

Reubenn RennieToulouse Olympique

Brad TakairangiGlebe Dirty Reds

Mason TeagueWakefield Trinity

David TuarikiMelbourne Storm

Paul UlbergToulouse Olympique

Delahia WigmorePenrith Panthers

Maui Winitana-PatelesioNew Zealand Warriors

Brendan Piakura, who played in the qualifier, is unavailable for the tournament. Valentine Holmes makes his Cook Islands debut.

How to watch

Live coverage

Broadcast details for the Cook Islands will be confirmed closer to kick-off. Follow CIRL on Facebook for watch parties around Rarotonga.

CIRL on Facebook

Tickets

Be there

Tickets for all three Aitu pool games are on sale through the official tournament site, from AUD $19.

rlwc2026.com

The road here

58-6 v South Africa

Aitu sealed qualification at CommBank Stadium on 9 November 2025.

Read the report

2025

Road to the World Cup

Play-offRLWC26 qualifiers

Cook Islands 58 - 6 South Africa

Sun 9 Nov 2025CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Aitu led 20-6 at half-time and pulled away after KL Iro's long-range try in the 51st minute to take the final RLWC26 place.

FT 58 - 6 · WonMatch centre

BowlPacific Championships 2025

Cook Islands 28 - 40 Papua New Guinea

Sat 25 Oct 2025Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Aitu started brightly before PNG led 22-12 at the break.

FT 28 - 40 · Lost

BowlPacific Championships 2025

Cook Islands 24 - 44 Fiji

Sat 18 Oct 2025Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

FT 24 - 44 · Lost