Cook Island Rugby League Team Connects with Culture Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

Queensland Origin star Val Holmes joined the Cook Islands team on a trip to Rarotonga, reconnecting with their culture before Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa. Holmes is recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his NRL season early with the Dragons.

He has pledged his allegiance to the Cook Islands if they secure the last spot in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC26) at CommBank Stadium. Holmes, whose mother Lucy was born in the Cook Islands, trained with his future international teammates, helping Hunt and Alex Glenn prepare the Aitu for their most important match in six years.

RLWC26 Qualifier Stakes

The winner of this crucial qualifier will join other top teams including the Kangaroos, Kiwis, England, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Lebanon, and France at the World Cup hosted in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Team Boosters

Warriors forward Marata Niukore
Rabbitohs prop Davvy Moale

Both players were absent from the Pacific Championships campaign in Port Moresby but have joined the squad in Rarotonga for the training camp ahead of the qualifier.

“The Aitu are preparing intensively for this match, which is their most significant in six years,” says Brad Walter, NRL Senior Reporter.

Author's summary: The Cook Islands rugby team, strengthened by key players and cultural reconnection, aims for a decisive win in the World Cup qualifier to secure their place among top international teams in RLWC26.

Samoa Global News — 2025-11-04