Rugby league: Cook Islands secure World Cup spot

Cook Islands Secure Spot at IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026

The Cook Islands rugby league team earned their place in the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 by defeating South Africa 58-6 in the RLWC26 qualifying match at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Sunday.

The victory adds the Cook Islands to the list of ten men's teams confirmed for the tournament, joining Australia, England, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Wales.

Qualification and Performance

Cook Islands became the 14th nation to qualify for RLWC26 after a strong second-half performance secured their decisive win.

Player Reactions

"Going to the World Cup, it's massive for us," said KL Iro, a Cronulla Sharks player in the National Rugby League. "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 benefit of their time together in Rarotonga, after their Pacific Bowl campaign ended two weeks prior: "I'm excited, exciting times."

Team Building and Future Outlook

The team’s preparation and bonding during recent tournaments played a key role in their qualifying success, setting a strong foundation for the World Cup competition next season.

The Cook Islands will compete in a strong field, aiming to make a significant impact on the international stage.

Author's summary: The Cook Islands clinched their place at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup with a dominant win over South Africa, marking a historic qualification fueled by strong teamwork and focused preparation.

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RNZ RNZ — 2025-11-09

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