Cook Islands Aitu Rugby League World Cup Squad 2026
The Cook Islands have played at three Rugby League World Cups, but they have never made it past the group stage.
This time, the Aitu say they’re coming as “giant killers”, and fans want to know who will be in the squad.
The Cook Islands have named their 23-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2026, led by co-captains KL Iro and Marata Niukore, with Valentine Holmes set to debut.
The Aitu open against Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday 18 October, in a tough Group A that also includes Australia and New Zealand.
Below, you’ll find the full 23-man squad, every fixture in Cook Islands time, and how they qualified.
We’ll keep this page updated with injuries and changes before kick-off, so it’s worth bookmarking.
Quick Answer: Cook Islands Aitu at the Rugby League World Cup 2026
- Squad: 23 players, named on 6 October 2026
- Co-captains: KL Iro and Marata Niukore
- Coach: Karmichael Hunt
- Big debut: Valentine Holmes
- First match: Fiji v Cook Islands, Sunday 18 October, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Group: Group A with Australia, New Zealand and Fiji
Has the Cook Islands Named Its World Cup Squad?
Yes. Karmichael Hunt named his 23-man squad on 6 October 2026.
KL Iro and Marata Niukore are co-captains, and Valentine Holmes will make his Aitu debut.
Cook Islands Aitu’s 23-Man Squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2026
Here is every player in the squad, with his club.
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Cameron Brown | Brisbane Tigers |
| Rhys Dakin | Sydney Roosters |
| Glassie Glassie | Wests Tigers |
| Valentine Holmes | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| Esom Ioka | Brisbane Tigers |
| KL Iro (co-captain) | Cronulla Sharks |
| Chaev Kolone | Canberra Raiders |
| Makahesi Makatoa | Sydney Roosters |
| Esan Marsters | Bradford Bulls |
| Amare Milford | Melbourne Storm |
| Davvy Moale | Melbourne Storm |
| K-CI Newton-Whare | Melbourne Storm |
| Rua Ngatikaura | North Sydney Bears |
| Marata Niukore (co-captain) | New Zealand Warriors |
| Pride Petterson-Robati | Souths Logan Magpies |
| Reuben Porter | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| Reubenn Rennie | Toulouse Olympique |
| Brad Takairangi | Glebe Dirty Reds |
| Mason Teague | Wakefield Trinity |
| David Tuariki | Melbourne Storm |
| Paul Ulberg | Toulouse Olympique |
| Delahia Wigmore | Penrith Panthers |
| Maui Winitana-Patelesio | New Zealand Warriors |
Melbourne Storm provide four players, the most of any club in the squad.
Brendan Piakura is the big absence, ruled out after a string of concussions at the Broncos.
Key Cook Islands Players to Watch
Valentine Holmes
The Queensland Origin star has played 21 Tests for Australia and will now make his Cook Islands debut.
His goal-kicking and big-game experience could be the difference in tight matches.
KL Iro
The Sharks centre co-captains the side, and he helped convince Holmes to switch to the Aitu.
Marata Niukore
The Warriors forward, who played for New Zealand at the last World Cup, co-captains the Aitu.
Cook Islands Fixtures and Kick-off Times
The Cook Islands are a day behind Australia, so fans in Rarotonga watch every match on the previous evening.
| Match | Stadium | Local time | Cook Islands time | UK time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiji v Cook Islands | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle | Sun 18 Oct, 4:05pm | Sat 17 Oct, 7:05pm | Sun 18 Oct, 6:05am |
| New Zealand v Cook Islands | One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch | Sun 25 Oct, 6:05pm | Sat 24 Oct, 7:05pm | Sun 25 Oct, 5:05am |
| Australia v Cook Islands | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville | Sat 31 Oct, 7:05pm | Fri 30 Oct, 11:05pm | Sat 31 Oct, 9:05am |
For every other match, see our full RLWC 2026 schedule.
How the Cook Islands Qualified
The Aitu weren’t automatic qualifiers. They won the 10th and final place with a 58–6 win over South Africa at CommBank Stadium on 9 November 2025.
Before the game, the squad spent 10 days in Rarotonga, reconnecting with their culture and history.
Can the Cook Islands Reach the Semi-Finals?
It’s a big ask. Group A includes world champions Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and only the top two reach the semi-finals.
The opener against Fiji is the Aitu’s best chance of a famous win. See the Bati squad on our Fiji World Cup squad page.
Who Is the Cook Islands Coach?
Karmichael Hunt coaches the Aitu. He played at the top level in rugby league, rugby union and AFL, and represented Australia in both rugby codes.
His grandmother is Cook Islander, and he took over from Tony Iro ahead of the Pacific Championships.
How to Watch the Cook Islands
- Australia: Free on the Seven Network and 7plus
- New Zealand: Sky Sport
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports
- Cook Islands: We’re confirming local TV coverage and will add it here.
For more countries, see our guide to watching RLWC 2026.
Cook Islands World Cup History
The Cook Islands first played at the World Cup in 2000, and also took part in 2013 and 2021.
At the last World Cup, they beat Wales 18–12 before losing to PNG. See every result in our winners list.
Cook Islands World Cup Squad: FAQ
Has the Cook Islands named its RLWC 2026 squad?
Yes. The Aitu named a 23-man squad on 6 October 2026, with co-captains KL Iro and Marata Niukore and debutant Valentine Holmes.
Who is the Cook Islands rugby league coach?
Karmichael Hunt is the Cook Islands Aitu head coach.
Is Valentine Holmes playing for the Cook Islands?
Yes. Valentine Holmes is in the 23-man squad and will make his Cook Islands debut at the tournament.
When is the Cook Islands’ first World Cup match?
The Aitu play Fiji on Sunday 18 October 2026 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, kicking off at 4:05pm local time.
How did the Cook Islands qualify for RLWC 2026?
They beat South Africa 58–6 in a play-off at CommBank Stadium on 9 November 2025.
Conclusion
The Aitu arrive as underdogs in the toughest group, but with Holmes, Iro and Niukore they have real star power.
Their campaign starts against Fiji on 18 October. Follow injury news on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 injury list.
Cook Islands Squad Updates
- 6 October 2026: Cook Islands’ 23-man squad named, with co-captains KL Iro and Marata Niukore. Brendan Piakura is unavailable.
- Earlier: Page published before the squad announcement.
