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.
Renegade
Roar Guru
^ This is the welcome party the Doncaster school kids provided for the Kiwis. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mkvJnl2Nyo&sns=em
Renegade
Roar Guru
This was the haka battle between Cook Islands and NZ over the weekend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqsREgshvPs&sns=em
russell johnson
Guest
I think it doesn't truly matter what happens in THE World Cup because one sided results are almost guaranteed at some point. However, I hope we have some surprises. I would like some one else to win it. I hope the Cooks do well and I would love to see a Papua v France semi. For those of you who have not seen it yet the Doncaster school children doing the Haka is a must - Youtube. One thing I'm amazed at is the number of union bores on this site pontificating about superiority. I'm relatively new to the site and want to ask is it always this replete with appendage craniums or are they out in force just to stick the boot into THE World Cup. They can't possibly imagine that anyone wants to hear their views on RL or that we'll value their erudition on the yawnion games of the decade (meaning they only happen once a decade, I think) . Just ask the players in Cooks team about THE World Cup and I'll bet they'll tell you!
Renegade
Roar Guru
The last of the warm up matches was played overnight between New Zealand and Cook Islands. The Kiwis winning 50-0.
J_Kingman
Guest
Turbodewd mate, you don't know what your talking about. The Cookies might even end up winning their pool. There is a lot of quality NRL & Super League players in there side. It is a better side on paper than a lot of other nations playing in this world cup. I think the Cooks will be the surprise package in this world cup. The warm up against the mighty kiwis will also help their cause. Go Cooks. Kiwis will win the world cup. The pack is too big, too strong, too fast, and too skilful with the ball. Shaun Johnson off the back of that go forward is going to have a field day against the aussies. The brother hood in this team is too strong. Something the Ozzies don't know about. That's why we beat them in so many tournament finals. GO KIWIS. ALL DAY. GO COOKIES.
pogo
Guest
Hit the nail on the head Renegade, meitaki.
pogo
Guest
Plus about 60,000 expats in NZ and probably about 20,000 in Australia
Awesome person
Guest
Dylan Napa should be in the starting side not on the bench. If Taikarangi does play 5/8 it will be great to see how he goes!
deucer
Guest
There would be more Cook Islanders in NZ than in the Cook Islands
Joe Maggio
Guest
They can do it , it is not impossible, they have to to share the workload and believe in themselves they are the ones playing not the coach, spectators or the commentators.... LAST of all they have to have the right attitude....
Ra
Guest
wat wd ru on turbo?
oikee
Guest
Very romantic having the Cook Islands in a world cup. They have a very good team. What i am going to do Renegade is rate/rating of each game on performance, enjoyment as in atmosphere, crowd size and viewer enjoyment and passion/quality of match. Rather than comment as such, so to keep emotions out of the contest so to speak. So my posts will look as follows. Per= 0-10...........Performance Atmos=0-10.......Atmosphere C&V=0-10.......crowd size,enjoyment of match PassQ=0-10......passion/quality of match Then have a short one sentence comment of each game played.
Dave the Yank
Guest
It may have only been a warm up but at least it was a win.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Turbo, There are 12,000 just in Rarotonga... that doesn't include the other islands. Your comment is extremely ignorant. Since when did population become part of the criteria of competing in international events? They weren't "given" a spot at the World Cup, in fact they EARNED the right to compete by getting through the qualifying process. Are you suggesting they should give up their spot to say Russia or Lebanon due to those countries having a greater population?
Renegade
Roar Guru
It's a fair achievement considering you could fit the entire population into Parramatta Stadium.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Only 1 week to go James!
Alvin Purple
Guest
So what if they are competitive that is all that matters. 120 players in the tournament play in the NRL like most of the Tongan and Somoan team. Lets enjoy the tournament and hope it showcases RL at its best.
eagleJack
Guest
The Cook Islands rugby team, as winners of the Oceania Cup 2013, are one win away from qualifying for the Rugby Union World Cup in 2015. If they make it would you say it is reducing the credibility of the RWC15? Or would you celebrate that this tiny island in the South Pacific is a proud sporting nation, punching well above its weight? Should a criteria of the qualification process be that you must have a population in excess of 1million? Keep living in your bubble turbodewd
Boomshanka
Guest
Although Cook Islanders are citizens of New Zealand, they have the status of Cook Islands nationals, which is not given to other New Zealand citizens. A beautiful place with great friendly people. There is no reduction in credibility here. I appreciate a lot of Aussies struggle with freedom of ethnic identity whilst being resident in another country. Bumper stickers such as "Australia - love it or leave it" are a great example.
The eye
Guest
Dylan Napa too good for the bench,coach Fairleigh should be trying to squeeze 80 minutes out of him