Fiji vs Cook Islands Rugby League World Cup 2026
Can the Cook Islands cause an upset in Newcastle, or will the Fiji Bati make it four wins in a row against the Aitu?
Fiji have won the last three meetings in the Pacific Bowl, but this is the first time the two nations have met at a World Cup.
Fiji vs Cook Islands is on Sunday 18 October 2026 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, kicking off at 4:05pm Sydney time (5:05pm Fiji, 6:05am UK).
In the Cook Islands, it’s 7:05pm on Saturday 17 October. The winner will likely finish third in Pool A.
Below, you’ll find the kick-off time in every country, both official team lists, the head-to-head record, our prediction and how to watch.
We’ll add any late team changes before kick-off, then the result and a short match report straight after full-time.
Quick Answer: Fiji vs Cook Islands Rugby League World Cup 2026
- Date: Sunday 18 October 2026
- Kick-off: 4:05pm Sydney, 5:05pm Fiji, 6:05am UK
- Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Recent form: Fiji won the last three meetings
- Captains: Apisai Koroisau (Fiji), KL Iro (Cook Islands)
- Watch: Seven and 7plus (Australia), Sky Sport (NZ), Premier Sports (UK)
What Time Is Fiji vs Cook Islands?
Fiji vs Cook Islands kicks off at 4:05pm Sydney time on Sunday 18 October.
| Where you are | Kick-off time |
|---|---|
| Sydney, Newcastle | 4:05pm Sunday |
| Brisbane | 3:05pm Sunday |
| Fiji | 5:05pm Sunday |
| New Zealand | 6:05pm Sunday |
| Cook Islands | 7:05pm Saturday |
| UK | 6:05am Sunday |
Because the Cook Islands are a day behind, fans in Rarotonga watch on Saturday evening.
Fiji’s women play New Zealand at the same ground before the men’s match, so it’s a big Fijian double-header.
Fiji vs Cook Islands Team Lists
Both teams were named on Tuesday 13 October. Here are the official 17s, as published on NRL.com.
| No. | Fiji | Cook Islands |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayleigh Bentley-Hape | Esom Ioka |
| 2 | Sunia Turuva | Paul Ulberg |
| 3 | Waqa Blake | KL Iro |
| 4 | Solomone Saukuru | Reubenn Rennie |
| 5 | Semi Valemei | Cameron Brown |
| 6 | Kurt Donoghoe | Maui Winitana-Patelesio |
| 7 | Brandon Wakeham | Esan Marsters |
| 8 | Jacob Saifiti | Davvy Moale |
| 9 | Apisai Koroisau | Mason Teague |
| 10 | Mitchell Prest | Makahesi Makatoa |
| 11 | Taane Milne | Delahia Wigmore |
| 12 | Kitione Kautoga | Reuben Porter |
| 13 | Caleb Navale | Pride Petterson-Robati |
| 14 | Josese Lanyon | Rua Ngatikaura |
| 15 | Emosi Ravosai | K-CI Newton-Whare |
| 16 | Elijah Keung | Rhys Dakin |
| 17 | Ronald Philitoga | Brad Takairangi |
Coaches can still make late changes, so the final teams are confirmed about an hour before kick-off.
The big surprise is that Valentine Holmes and co-captain Marata Niukore are not in the Cook Islands 17.
See every other Round 1 side on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 team lists page.
Fiji: The Big Selection Calls
Captain Apisai Koroisau starts at hooker and runs Fiji’s attack around the ruck.
Brandon Wakeham and Kurt Donoghoe form the halves, with Bayleigh Bentley-Hape at fullback.
Jacob Saifiti returns at prop after serving a four-game suspension.
Sunia Turuva and Semi Valemei bring pace and power on the wings.
Cook Islands: The Big Selection Calls
KL Iro captains the side from the centres, with Esan Marsters in the halves.
Esom Ioka starts at fullback, and Paul Ulberg is on the wing.
Makahesi Makatoa and Davvy Moale start at prop, with Mason Teague at hooker.
Rhys Dakin starts on the bench, giving the Aitu an extra playmaking option.
Fiji vs Cook Islands Head to Head
Fiji have won the last three Tests against the Cook Islands, all in the Pacific Bowl.
| Year | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Pacific Bowl, Port Moresby | Fiji 44-24 Cook Islands |
| 2024 | Pacific Bowl, Suva | Fiji 56-6 Cook Islands |
| 2023 | Pacific Bowl, Port Moresby | Fiji 22-18 Cook Islands |
The 2023 match was close, but Fiji won much more easily in 2024 and 2025.
The Cook Islands’ last win over Fiji came in 2009, in Port Moresby.
Sunday’s match is the first meeting between the two nations at a World Cup.
Fiji vs Cook Islands Prediction
Fiji start as clear favourites, with more NRL players and a strong recent record against the Aitu.
The Cook Islands will miss Holmes and Niukore, but they have nothing to lose.
Our pick is Fiji by 12 to 16 points, with Koroisau the key man.
Both teams still have to play Australia and New Zealand, so this is the game they both target.
Where Is Fiji vs Cook Islands Being Played?
The match is at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, home of the Newcastle Knights.
The stadium holds around 30,000 fans and is one of the best rugby league grounds in New South Wales.
It’s a short walk from Broadmeadow station, with trains from Sydney taking around two and a half hours.
Newcastle also hosts the first men’s semi-final on Saturday 7 November.
What Channel Is Fiji vs Cook Islands On?
Fiji 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)
Local broadcasters in Fiji and the Cook Islands haven’t been confirmed yet. We’ll add them once they’re announced.
Following the Bati or the Aitu to Australia? 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.
Fiji vs Cook Islands Tickets
Tickets for Fiji vs Cook Islands start from $19 AUD on Ticketmaster, the official seller.
Your ticket also covers the women’s match between New Zealand and Fiji.
Buy only from Ticketmaster, as resale tickets from other sites may not be valid.
Flying in from the Pacific? An Australia eSIM from Airalo keeps your phone working from the moment you land.
Fiji vs Cook Islands Result
The match hasn’t been played yet. It kicks off on Sunday 18 October.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| Fiji v Cook Islands, 18 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
14 October 2026: Page published with kick-off times, both official team lists, the head-to-head record and our prediction.
Next update: any late changes to either 17 in the hour before kick-off.
After full-time on 18 October, we’ll add the score and a short match report.
Fiji vs Cook Islands: FAQ
Here are quick answers to the questions fans ask most about Fiji 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 Fiji vs Cook Islands rugby league?
4:05pm Sydney time on Sunday 18 October 2026.
That’s 5:05pm in Fiji and 6:05am in the UK.
In the Cook Islands, it’s 7:05pm on Saturday 17 October.
Where is Fiji vs Cook Islands being played?
At McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.
It’s a double-header with New Zealand vs Fiji in the women’s World Cup.
The stadium holds around 30,000 fans.
Who has won more games, Fiji or the Cook Islands?
Fiji have the better record and have won the last three meetings.
Their most recent win was 44-24 in the 2025 Pacific Bowl.
The Cook Islands last beat Fiji in 2009.
Why is Valentine Holmes not playing for the Cook Islands?
Holmes was named in the Cook Islands’ 23-man squad but not in the 17 for this match.
Co-captain Marata Niukore also misses out.
Both could return for the later games against New Zealand and Australia.
Conclusion
Fiji vs Cook Islands in Newcastle on 18 October is the match both Pacific teams have circled.
Fiji are favourites, but the Aitu have beaten the Bati before and will play without fear.
Bookmark this page for team changes and the result.
Follow both teams on our Fiji next game and Cook Islands next game pages, and visit rlwc2026.com for official news.
