Rugby league: Cook Islands secure World Cup spot

Rugby League: Cook Islands Secure World Cup Spot

Cook Islands have qualified for the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 after a commanding 58-6 victory over South Africa in the RLWC26 qualifying match held Sunday at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.

The Aitu join nine other men's teams—Australia, England, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Wales—in the tournament set for the end of next season.

Match Summary and Team Performance

After a strong second-half performance, Cook Islands sealed their place as the 14th nation to qualify for RLWC26.

Player Reactions

"Going to the World Cup, it's massive for us," said KL Iro, a Cronulla Sharks player in the National Rugby League, reflecting on the achievement. "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."

Teammate Brendan Piakura highlighted the importance of their time together in Rarotonga following their Pacific Bowl campaign. "I'm excited, exciting times," he shared.

Photo Credit

NRL/CIRL Photo: Cook Islands rugby league men’s team at the recent Pacific Championships.

Author’s summary: The Cook Islands have earned a decisive spot in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, showcasing strong team spirit and determination behind their impressive qualifying win.

RNZ — 2025-11-09