Rugby League: Cook Islands Secure World Cup Spot
The Cook Islands clinched a place in the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 after a dominant 58–6 victory over South Africa in Sunday’s qualifying match at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.
This win makes the Cook Islands the 14th nation to qualify for RLWC26. They will join Australia, England, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Wales in the men’s competition scheduled for next season’s end.
Victory and Reactions
The team surged ahead in the second half, securing their spot with confident play and sharp defense. KL Iro, a Cronulla Sharks player in the National Rugby League, expressed deep pride and relief after the match.
“Going to the World Cup, it's massive for us,” he said. “We’ve been talking about it the past four weeks. Really stoked to get this reward — we’ve been pushing hard since the last few games in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.”
Teammate Brendan Piakura highlighted the team’s preparation in Rarotonga after their Pacific Bowl campaign, crediting that time together for their success.
“I'm excited, exciting times,” he said.
Author’s Summary
The Cook Islands’ commanding win over South Africa secured their historic qualification for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, marking a milestone for the island nation’s growing rugby strength.