The Cook Islands rugby league men’s team at the recent Pacific Championships. NRL/CIRL Photo: NRL/CIRL
Cook Islands are going to the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 after beating South Africa 58-6 in Sunday's RLWC26 qualifying match at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.
The Aitu join Australia, England, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Wales as the 10 men's teams contesting the World Cup at the end of next season.
Cook Islands became the 14th nation to qualify for RLWC26 after storming home in the second half.
KL Iro, who plays for the Cronulla Sharks in the National Rugby League competition, was over the moon with the win.
"Going to the World Cup, it's massive for us," he said post-match.
"Massive for our country. We spoke about it over the last four weeks.
"Really stoked to get this, this reward. I thought we were punishing ourselves, like the last couple games in Fiji and Papua New Guinea."
Teammate Brendan Piakura said the time together in Rarotonga, after their Pacific Bowl campaign ended two weekends ago, paid dividends in the end.
"I'm excited, exciting times," he said.
"Yeah, good win, good win. Can't wait to go back there to the World Cup again.
"We spent 10 days in the Cook Islands just recently and it was an awesome camp. It really gave the boys a bit of purpose."
Cook Islands led 20-6 at halftime, with four tries to their name.
Paul Ulberg, in the eighth minute, and Davvy Moale, in the 22nd minute, got their first two in the first quarter of the game.
The South Africans scored one try in that spell too through Luke Pereira De Vlieg and had two disallowed.
Lock Aden Perry was also sinbinned in the half for a shoulder charge, with his absence giving the Aitu the chance to get two tries, Esan Marsters and Marata Niukore.
The Rhinos of South Africa started the second half well but KL Iro finished a long range try in the 51st minutes to open the try-scoring feat by the Cook Islanders.
Brendan Piakura, Cassius Cowley, Marata Niukore , Mason Teague, Cowley and Rua Ngatikaura scored tries in the second spell to seal the win.
Esan Marsters and Esom Ioka with three conversions each, plus KL Iro, added the extra points.
Cook Islands enjoyed a total of 53 percent of possession and recorded 71 percent of set completion, using 28 of their 39 sets successfully.
The islanders also had 16 line breaks, compared to none by South Africa.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup will be played in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
