Rugby League: Cook Islands Secure World Cup Spot
The Cook Islands have clinched a place in the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 after a dominant 58–6 victory over South Africa in Sunday's RLWC26 qualifying match at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.
With this win, the Aitu join Australia, England, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Wales among the ten men’s national teams set to compete at the World Cup at the end of next season. The Cook Islands are now the fourteenth nation confirmed for the tournament, sealing their qualification after a powerful second-half performance.
Players React to Historic Win
KL Iro, who represents the Cronulla Sharks in the NRL, expressed deep pride and joy following the match.
“Going to the World Cup, it's massive for us,” he said. “Really stoked to get this reward. I thought we were punishing ourselves in the last couple of games in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.”
Teammate Brendan Piakura also shared his excitement, attributing the team’s cohesion and success to their recent training period in Rarotonga after finishing their Pacific Bowl run.
“I'm excited, exciting times,” he said.
Team Momentum and Preparation
The team’s focused preparation and shared motivation over the past four weeks clearly paid off, culminating in one of the most convincing performances of the qualifying series.
Author’s Summary
The Cook Islands secured their World Cup 2026 qualification with a commanding 58–6 win over South Africa, marking a milestone built on teamwork, focus, and strong Pacific spirit.