Cook Islands Secure Spot in IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026
Cook Islands will compete in the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 after crushing South Africa 58-6 in the RLWC26 qualifying match held on Sunday at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.
Qualified Teams for RLWC26
The Cook Islands join nine other men's teams qualified for the World Cup next season. These teams include:
- Australia
- England
- Fiji
- France
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Tonga
- Wales
They are the 14th nation to earn a place in the tournament.
Match Highlights and Player Reactions
The Cook Islands dominated the second half to secure a commanding victory.
"Going to the World Cup, it's massive for us," said KL Iro, a Cronulla Sharks player in the National Rugby League, after the match. "We spoke about it over the last four weeks. Really stoked to get this reward. I thought we were punishing ourselves, like the last couple games in Fiji and Papua New Guinea."
Brendan Piakura, another team member, highlighted the importance of their time together in Rarotonga following the Pacific Bowl campaign. "I'm excited, exciting times," he said.
Their strong team cohesion and preparation bore fruit in this decisive win.
Author's summary: The Cook Islands' decisive victory over South Africa has earned them a well-deserved place among the 14 teams competing in the Rugby League World Cup 2026, reflecting strong teamwork and dedication.