Cook Islands Secure Spot in IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026
The Cook Islands men's rugby league team earned their place in the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 by defeating South Africa 58-6 in the qualifying match held Sunday at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.
World Cup Participants Confirmed
The Cook Islands, known as the Aitu, will join Australia, England, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Wales, making up the 10 men's teams competing in the tournament next season.
Qualifying Match Highlights
After a strong second-half performance, the Cook Islands became the 14th nation to qualify for RLWC26.
“Going to the World Cup, it's massive for us,” said KL Iro, a Cronulla Sharks player in the NRL, after the match. “We spoke about it over the last four weeks. Really stoked to get this, this reward. I thought we were punishing ourselves, like the last couple games in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.”
Brendan Piakura, a teammate, shared, “I'm excited, exciting times.” He added that their time together in Rarotonga following the Pacific Bowl campaign was beneficial for the squad.
Team Preparation and Spirit
- The team focused on self-motivation and learning from recent games in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
- Gathering in Rarotonga after their Pacific Bowl run helped strengthen their teamwork.
The Cook Islands' qualification marks a significant achievement and builds excitement within the rugby league community for the upcoming World Cup.
Author's summary: The Cook Islands triumphed over South Africa 58-6 to become the 14th team qualified for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, sparking pride and optimism among players and fans.