- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The smallest of the 14 countries competing at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup is the tiny nation made of fifteen small islands in the Pacific Ocean.
The Cook Islands have qualified for their second RLWC and will be looking to upstage the far bigger nations and earn their first victory on the world stage.
Cook Islands
RLIF World Ranking: 18
Best Result: Qualified for 2000 tournament however are yet to win a match
2008 Finish: Did not qualify
2013 RLWC Odds: $251
The Cook Islands introduced themselves to International rugby league by taking out the emerging nations cup that was run alongside the 1995 RLWC.
They knocked over the Irish in that final and declared they were ready to take on the big guns at the following World Cup in 2000.
They stepped up and performed courageously in their debut at the World Cup suffering defeats to New Zealand and Wales before almost snatching a win against fellow debutants Lebanon.
The nation failed during the qualifying rounds and did not appear at the 2008 tournament.
The Cook Islands then caused some major upsets during the 2009 Pacific Cup by defeating the likes of Fiji and Samoa to reach the final of the tournament and subsequently qualify for the 2013 RLWC.
As coach of the side, David Fairleigh will be hoping his team can cause a few more surprises this year and notch up their first win at a World Cup
Team Line Up (likely)
1. Jonathon Ford
2. Drury Low
3. Dominique Peyroux
4. Keith Lulia
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Brad Takairangi
7. Isaac John
8. Zane Tetavano
9. Hikule’o Malu
10. Tinirau Arona
11. Anthony Gelling
12. Tupou Sopoaga
13. Zeb Taia
14. Dylan Napa
15. Sam Mataora
16. Tyrone Viiga
17. Daniel Fepuleai
Squad Members: Sam Brunton, Lulia Lulia, Joseph Matapuku, Rea Pittman, Adam Tangata, Chris Taripo
David Fairleigh has a team that is predominately made up of young NRL and Super League stars.
The side has a promising forward pack with some future stars of the game in Arona, Sopoaga, Napa and Mataora.
The side also contains experienced back rowers in Zeb Taia and Anthony Gelling from the Super League.
The backline isn’t lacking in pace however the halves Takairangi and John will need to be at their best while steering this side around during the tournament.
Key Player
Catalans Dragons forward Zeb Taia will need to be in a similar sort of form as he was while playing for the Newcastle Knights prior to the neck injury that almost cut short his career.
Taia was one of the form back rowers in the competition during his tenure at the Knights.
His physical presence mixed with the agility and speed he possesses will make him a key attacking weapon for the Cook Islanders during the 2013 RLWC.
Fixtures and Opponents
Vs USA @ Memorial Stadium, Bristol Kick Off – Thur 31st Oct 7am AEDT
Vs Tonga @ Leigh Sports Village, Leigh Kick Off – Wed sixth Nov 7am AEDT
Vs Wales @ The Gnoll, Neath Kick Off – Mon 11th Nov 1am AEDT
Key Match
Cook Islands will open their campaign against World Cup debutants the USA Tomahawks who are currently placed higher in the world rankings than the Cooks.
David Fairleigh will want his men to start with a win to gain some confidence going into matches against Tonga and Wales.
A great performance in the match against the USA may lead to the national team’s first ever RLWC victory.
RLWC 2013 Prospects
Although the Cook Islands will be looking to break their duck at this World Cup, I suspect they may struggle in their quest to progress to the knockout stages for the first time.
A breakthrough victory may be achievable however they will need to top Group C to qualify for the quarter finals.
I don’t think David Fairleigh’s side will trouble the stronger nations however their achievement at the Pacific Cup shouldn’t be discounted and they may just end up surprising everyone once again which will send the tiny nation’s population of 20,000 into party mode.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.