Cook Islands Secure Spot at Rugby League World Cup 2026
The Cook Islands have qualified for the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 after a convincing 58-6 victory over South Africa in the RLWC26 qualifying match at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Sunday.
Qualification and Tournament Context
The Cook Islands, known as the Aitu, join Australia, England, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Wales as the ten men's teams set to compete in the World Cup next season. They became the 14th nation to qualify following a strong second-half performance.
Player Reactions
"Going to the World Cup, it's massive for us," said KL Iro, who plays for the Cronulla Sharks 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 of games in Fiji and Papua New Guinea."
Teammate Brendan Piakura added, "I'm excited, exciting times," reflecting on their team bonding time in Rarotonga after their Pacific Bowl campaign concluded two weekends ago.
Team Development
The team’s recent time together off the field has contributed positively to their performance and morale, ultimately leading to this successful qualification.
Author's summary: The Cook Islands' thrilling win secured their place in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, highlighting player dedication and strong team unity as key factors.