New Zealand vs Cook Islands Rugby League World Cup 2026
Can the Cook Islands cause a shock in Christchurch, or will the Kiwis make it five wins from five against the Aitu?
New Zealand have won all four previous meetings, including an 84-10 win at the 2000 World Cup in England.
New Zealand vs Cook Islands is on Sunday 25 October 2026 at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch, kicking off at 6:05pm local time (4:05pm Sydney, 5:05am UK).
In the Cook Islands, it’s 7:05pm on Saturday 24 October. It’s the Kiwis’ only home match of the tournament.
Below, you’ll find the kick-off time in every country, both teams, the head-to-head record, our prediction, the TV channels and tickets.
We’ll add both Round 2 team lists as soon as they’re named, any late changes on match day, and the result straight after full-time.
Quick Answer: New Zealand vs Cook Islands Rugby League World Cup 2026
- Date: Sunday 25 October 2026
- Kick-off: 6:05pm NZ, 4:05pm Sydney, 5:05am UK
- Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
- Head to head: New Zealand have won all four meetings
- Last meeting: New Zealand 50-0 Cook Islands, 2013
- Watch: Seven and 7plus (Australia), Sky Sport (NZ), Premier Sports (UK)
What Time Is New Zealand vs Cook Islands?
New Zealand vs Cook Islands kicks off at 6:05pm New Zealand time on Sunday 25 October.
| Where you are | Kick-off time |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 6:05pm Sunday |
| Cook Islands | 7:05pm Saturday |
| Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra | 4:05pm Sunday |
| Brisbane | 3:05pm Sunday |
| UK | 5:05am Sunday |
The Cook Islands are a day behind, so fans in Rarotonga watch on Saturday evening.
New Zealand’s women play France at the same ground earlier that afternoon.
New Zealand vs Cook Islands Team Lists
Round 2 teams haven’t been named yet. Coaches usually name their 17 on the Tuesday of match week, around 20 October.
| No. | New Zealand | Cook Islands |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalyn Ponga | Esom Ioka |
| 2 | Jamayne Isaako | Paul Ulberg |
| 3 | Dane Gagai | KL Iro |
| 4 | Casey McLean | Reubenn Rennie |
| 5 | Ronaldo Mulitalo | Cameron Brown |
| 6 | Kodi Nikorima | Maui Winitana-Patelesio |
| 7 | Jahrome Hughes | Esan Marsters |
| 8 | James Fisher-Harris | Davvy Moale |
| 9 | Jeremy Marshall-King | Mason Teague |
| 10 | Moses Leota | Makahesi Makatoa |
| 11 | Isaiah Papali’i | Delahia Wigmore |
| 12 | Briton Nikora | Reuben Porter |
| 13 | Joseph Tapine | Pride Petterson-Robati |
| 14 | Te Maire Martin | Rua Ngatikaura |
| 15 | Naufahu Whyte | K-CI Newton-Whare |
| 16 | Erin Clark | Rhys Dakin |
| 17 | Xavier Willison | Brad Takairangi |
Until then, here’s how New Zealand and the Cook Islands lined up in Round 1, as published on NRL.com.
Expect a few changes on both sides, depending on Round 1 results and injuries.
See every side as soon as it’s named on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 team lists page.
New Zealand Players to Watch
Kalyn Ponga made his Test debut at fullback in Round 1.
Jahrome Hughes and Kodi Nikorima run the Kiwis’ attack.
Captain James Fisher-Harris leads a huge forward pack with Joseph Tapine and Moses Leota.
Cook Islands Players to Watch
KL Iro captains the Aitu from the centres.
Esan Marsters and Maui Winitana-Patelesio started in the halves in Round 1.
Valentine Holmes could come into the side after missing the opening game.
New Zealand vs Cook Islands Head to Head
New Zealand have won all four previous meetings with the Cook Islands.
| Year | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Friendly, Doncaster | New Zealand 50-0 Cook Islands |
| 2000 | World Cup, Reading | New Zealand 84-10 Cook Islands |
| 1997 | International | New Zealand 46-2 Cook Islands |
| 1996 | International | New Zealand 16-4 Cook Islands |
The only World Cup meeting was in 2000, when the Kiwis won 84-10 in Reading.
The most recent was a 50-0 New Zealand win in Doncaster in 2013.
The Cook Islands have never scored more than 10 points against the Kiwis.
New Zealand vs Cook Islands Prediction
New Zealand start as huge favourites, at home and with one of the strongest squads at the tournament.
The Cook Islands will play with pride, and many of their players have family links to New Zealand.
Our pick is New Zealand by 30 points or more.
The Kiwis will want a big win to boost their points difference before facing Fiji.
Where Is New Zealand vs Cook Islands Being Played?
The match is at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch’s new covered stadium, also known as Te Kaha.
It opened in 2026 and is the Kiwis’ only home venue at this World Cup.
It sits in the centre of Christchurch, within walking distance of hotels and restaurants.
Christchurch hosted a World Cup quarter-final in 2017, when Tonga beat Lebanon 24-22.
What Channel Is New Zealand vs Cook Islands On?
New Zealand vs Cook Islands is live in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
- Australia: Free on the Seven Network and 7plus
- New Zealand: Sky Sport
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports (subscription)
The Cook Islands’ local broadcaster hasn’t been confirmed yet. We’ll add it here once it’s announced.
Travelling to Christchurch for the match? A VPN like NordVPN keeps your home streaming account working and protects you on public Wi-Fi. (We may earn a commission.)
For other countries, see our how to watch the Rugby League World Cup guide.
New Zealand vs Cook Islands Tickets
Tickets for New Zealand vs Cook Islands are on sale through Ticketmaster, the official seller.
Your ticket also covers New Zealand vs France in the women’s World Cup.
It’s the Kiwis’ only home match, so expect strong demand.
Buy only from official sellers, as resale tickets from other sites may not be valid.
New Zealand vs Cook Islands Result
The match hasn’t been played yet. It kicks off on Sunday 25 October.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| New Zealand v Cook Islands, 25 October 2026 | To be played |
We’ll add the score and a short match report straight after full-time.
Every score from the tournament also goes on our results page.
Match Updates
15 October 2026: Page published with kick-off times, Round 1 teams, the head-to-head record and our prediction.
Next update: both Round 2 team lists, expected around Tuesday 20 October.
After full-time on 25 October, we’ll add the score and a short match report.
New Zealand vs Cook Islands: FAQ
Here are quick answers to the questions fans ask most about New Zealand vs Cook Islands.
Each answer starts with the key fact, so you can find it fast.
For full details, see the sections above.
What time is New Zealand vs Cook Islands rugby league?
6:05pm New Zealand time on Sunday 25 October 2026.
That’s 4:05pm in Sydney and 5:05am in the UK.
In the Cook Islands, it’s 7:05pm on Saturday 24 October.
Where is New Zealand vs Cook Islands being played?
At One NZ Stadium in Christchurch.
It’s New Zealand’s only home match of the tournament.
The Kiwi Ferns play France at the same ground that day.
Have the Cook Islands ever beaten New Zealand?
No. New Zealand have won all four meetings.
The biggest was an 84-10 win at the 2000 World Cup.
The last meeting was a 50-0 Kiwis win in 2013.
What channel is New Zealand vs Cook Islands on?
Sky Sport shows the match in New Zealand.
Seven and 7plus have it free in Australia.
Premier Sports shows it in the UK.
Conclusion
New Zealand vs Cook Islands in Christchurch on 25 October is the Kiwis’ big home night.
The Kiwis are clear favourites, but the Aitu will have plenty of support in the crowd.
Bookmark this page for the team lists and the result.
Follow both teams on our Kiwis next game and Cook Islands next game pages, and visit rlwc2026.com for official news.
