IRL Men's Rugby League World Cup : Pool A

Sat 31st October 2026   - KO  19:05 - Queensland County Bank Stadium, Townsville , Australia
Official: Ashleigh Klein (Australia)

Australia

66

FT

6

Half Time
28 - 6

Cook Islands

Tries

Jack BOSTOCK (2,44,59)
Tom TRBOJEVIC (17,47,57)
Tino FA'ASUAMALEAUI (20,54)
Kotoni STAGGS (26)
Reece WALSH (30)
Harry GRANT (77)

Rua NGATIKAURA (8)

Goals

Reece WALSH (3/4)
Cameron MUNSTER (5/7)
Ethan STRANGE (1/1)

Valentine HOLMES (1/1)

Match Preview | Australia take on Cook Islands in last group game in Men's World Cup

Already qualified for the semi-finals of the 2026 IRL Men’s Rugby League World Cup, Australia face Cook Islands in their final group game at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Saturday.

Australia will be looking to secure victory to finish top of the group, with second-placed New Zealand currently holding a superior points difference.

They recall a host of stars for the game against Cook Islands as Reece Walsh, Cameron Munster, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tini Faasumaleaui, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo are restored into the starting thirteen.

Cook Islands, meanwhile, have lost both of their opening games against New Zealand and Fiji and can no longer progress to the semi-finals. They will, however, be aiming to end their campaign on a high by stopping Australia from claiming top spot.

After that 82-16 defeat to New Zealand, they recall Paul Ulberg onto the wing, in what’s the only change from last time out.

Australia (squad): Reece WALSH, Jack BOSTOCK, Kotoni STAGGS, Brad BEST, Tom TRBOJEVIC, Cameron MUNSTER, Tom DEARDEN, Patrick CARRIGAN, Harry GRANT, Tino FA'ASUAMALEAUI, Jacob PRESTON, Liam MARTIN, Isaah YEO, Ethan STRANGE, Keaon KOLOAMATANGI, Cameron MURRAY, Reuben COTTER, Lindsay SMITH, James TEDESCO, Samuel WALKER, Latrell MITCHELL, David FIFITA

Cook Islands (squad): Valentine HOLMES, Paul ULBERG, Kayal IRO, Reubenn RENNIE, Cameron BROWN, Maui WINITANA-PATELESIO, Bradley TAKAIRANGI, Davvy MOALE, Rua NGATIKAURA, Rhys DAKIN, Amare Lese MILFORD, Del (Delahia) WIGMORE, Mason TEAGUE, Esan MARSTERS, K-Ci NEWTON-WHARE, Makahesi MAKATOA, David Tuariki, Chaev KOLONE, Glassie GLASSIE, Brody TAMARUA, Pride PETTERSON-ROBATI, Esom IOKA

27 October 2026
1 Reece WALSH
Full Back
Valentine HOLMES 1
2 Jack BOSTOCK
Right Wing
Paul ULBERG 2
3 Kotoni STAGGS
Right Centre
Kayal IRO 3
4 Brad BEST
Left Centre
Reubenn RENNIE 4
5 Tom TRBOJEVIC
Left Wing
Esan MARSTERS 5
6 Cameron MUNSTER
Stand Off
Maui WINITANA-PATELESIO 6
7 Tom DEARDEN
Scrum Half
Bradley TAKAIRANGI 7
8 Patrick CARRIGAN
Prop
Davvy MOALE 8
9 Harry GRANT
Hooker
Rua NGATIKAURA 9
10 Tino FA'ASUAMALEAUI
Prop
Rhys DAKIN 10
11 Jacob PRESTON
Second Row
Chaev KOLONE 11
12 Liam MARTIN
Second Row
Del (Delahia) WIGMORE 12
13 Isaah YEO
Loose Forward
Mason TEAGUE 13
14 Ethan STRANGE (used)
Int 1
David Tuariki (used) 14
15 Keaon KOLOAMATANGI (used)
Int 2
Makahesi MAKATOA (used) 15
16 Reuben COTTER (used)
Int 3
Pride PETTERSON-ROBATI (used) 16
17 Lindsay SMITH (used)
Int 4
Amare Lese MILFORD (used) 17
18 James TEDESCO
Int 5
K-Ci NEWTON-WHARE 18
19 David FIFITA
Int 6
Glassie GLASSIE 19

Australia made it three wins from three in the 2026 IRL Men's Rugby League World Cup group stages, producing their most convincing performance of the tournament with a commanding 66-6 victory over the Cook Islands in Townsville.

The Kangaroos finished top of Pool A in emphatic fashion, booking their place in the semi-finals after putting the Aitu to the sword with a devastating attacking display.

Despite the final scoreline, the Cook Islands showed plenty of fight early on and briefly threatened to make life uncomfortable for the tournament favourites.

After Australia opened the scoring, the Cook Islands hit back through Ruatapu Ngatikaura, who crossed from dummy-half to give his side a brief 6-4 advantage.

However, that proved to be the highlight of the evening for the Aitu.

Australia responded with authority, taking control of proceedings and heading into the half-time break with a commanding 28-6 lead.

The second half belonged entirely to the Kangaroos, who turned an already comfortable advantage into a comprehensive demolition job.

Winger Jack Bostock continued his outstanding tournament with another hat-trick, while Tom Trbojevic was equally destructive on the opposite flank, also crossing for three tries.

Forward Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was another standout performer, helping himself to two tries in a dominant individual display as Australia's attacking weapons repeatedly found space against a tiring Cook Islands defence.

Reece Walsh impressed at fullback, bringing plenty of energy and creativity to the Australian attack, while Tom Dearden strengthened his claims in the No.7 jersey with a composed performance.

Australia will take plenty of confidence from the performance as they turn their attention towards the knockout stages. After two closely fought victories against New Zealand and Fiji, the 66-6 result was exactly the statement the Kangaroos needed ahead of a much tougher semi-final assignment.

The world champions have finished the group stages unbeaten, with three victories from three matches, and remain firmly on course to defend their World Cup crown.

31 October 2026