The Cook Islands’ preliminary train-on squad to play Tonga in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Asia-Pacific qualifier has been named.
The squad features a mix of established first-graders, National Youth Competition stars and park footballers. Returning from the 2013 World Cup squad are Jordan Rapana, Drury Low, Anthony Gelling, Adam Tangata, Tupou Sopoaga and Tinirau Arona.
Notable exclusions include Dominique Peyroux, Keith Lulia, Johnathon Ford, Isaac John, Dylan Napa, Sam Mataora, Zeb Taia and Brad Takairangi.
Alex Chan will take over from David Fairleigh as head coach and believes his young squad can deliver.
“I certainly believe that our qualifying match against Tonga will unveil some exciting and entertaining players,” he said.
“I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what this squad is capable of.”
The squad is as follows:
Tinirau Arona (Cronulla Sharks), Anthony Gelling (Wigan Warriors), Ezra Howe Junior (Canberra Raiders), Drury Low (Narellan Jets), Makahesi Makatoa (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers), Francis Molo (Brisbane Broncos), Eric Newbigging (Parramatta Eels), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Melbourne Storm), Fred Pakutoa (Wentworthville Magpies), John Papalii (West Belconnen), Chance Peni (Wests Tigers), Reuben Porter (Sydney Roosters), Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders), Tupou Sopoaga (Penrith Panthers), Adam Tangata (Halifax Blue Sox), Wallace Tangiiti (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Aaron Teroi (Melbourne Storm)
Predicted first XVII: 1 Jordan Rapana, 2 Chance Peni, 3 Wallace Tangiiti Peni, 4 Esan Marsters, 5 Anthony Gelling, 6 Drury Low, 7 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 8 Tinirau Arona, 9 Aaron Teroi, 10 Francis Molo, 11 Tupou Sopoaga, 12 Makahesi Makatoa, 13 Reuben Porter
14 Eric Newbigging, 15 John Papalii, 16 Adam Tangata Porter, 17 Ezra Howe
Change within the squad is expected to occur as players confirm their eligibility and exit the finals over the next two weekends.
The Cook Islands will play Tonga at Campbelltown Stadium on October 17.
Tonga’s squad can be found here.
UPDATE: October 10
Alex Chan has named his final 18-man squad. It is as follows: 1 Jordan Rapana, 2 Drury Low, 3 Anthony Gelling, 4 Chance Peni, 5 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 6 Jono Ford, 7 Wallace Tangitti, 8 Uiti Baker, 9 Aaron Teroi, 10 Sam Mataora, 11 Esan Marsters, 12 Makahesi Makatoa, 13 Francis Molo
14 Carne Doyle-Manga, 15 Vincent Rennie, 16 Vinny Ngaro, 17 Fred Pakutoa, 18 Reuben Rennie
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
I agree completely Johnno. 14 teams is an absolute joke. Hopefully in 2021 they will expand
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yes, and Scotland are now in the Four Nations and Wales has a long rugby league history. It really is a great idea to stop nations and states and communities from aiming high in rugby league. Obviously the game would be better if nobody played it.
pat malone
Guest
scotland and wales dont issue passports either
fivehole
Guest
..?
Johnno
Guest
I reckon the 2017 WC should be 16-teams, but they decided to keep it at 16-teams.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Actually the Faroe Islands do reasonably well in soccer ; likewise Iceland, whose tiny population has produced a team that beat the Netherlands, and is top of the European table in its group. Cback -- I didn't know there was an All Australian AFL team -- are they the ones who play Ireland in the mixed code?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I think it's fine for teams to miss out. It helps create an international structure whereby all matches essentially form part of a qualifying process for the World Cup. If it didn't then international matches wouldn't really have much purpose or meaning.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Some stupid comments so far. Good luck to the Cook Islands for caring enough about a sport that many here imagine they care about.
Aaron
Guest
nsw and queensland last time I looked don't issue passports..yep, and they supposed to be the international superpowers of league?..what a joke..
Pat malone
Guest
Rugby league should tRget all the countries with tiny populations and then say "RL is big in 20 countries". Tuvalu and Gibraltar should be next, maybe the Faroe islands
Pat malone
Guest
An island of a few hundred people doesn't eeal count for that much in terms of expansion except that it's got a passport.
Aaron
Guest
reading your comments represents all that is wrong with international rugby league..ignorance not?..every market counts mate..soccer and rugby union also invest resources in the Cook Islands..
cback
Guest
So professor who is the All Australian Afl team playing against.?
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
"The target market should be current rugby league fans who for whatever reason dislike and have no interest in the international game" -- I think one of the reasons for lack of interest in the international game is the notion that the Cook Islands is a big step forward in international rugby league. However, cynicism aside, good luck to the Cook Islanders -- take out Pacific Region players from the Australian competition and it would look pretty empty -- same goes for Union, and if we toss in Tim Cahill, the same goes for soccer!
Rarojuice
Guest
Serously. Rugby league is the national sport and the most popular in the Cook Islands. One of the only nations in the world that is. Growing the international game is about growing the competition and spectacle. The target market should be current rugby league fans who for whatever reason dislike and have no interest in the international game. To attract these fans increased more competitive competition and more teams are required to make it a better spectical.
kevin dustby
Guest
yeah, the cook islands are a huge growth area, huge potential there to get at least 6 new supporters. getting red heads born in Brisbane Australia to represent this metropolis is a big step forward
Rarojuice
Guest
Hopefully they can get some big names such as Napa etc. The fact that a pacific team has to miss out from the world cup is ridiculous. If they want to grow international rugby league then they should try and get as many teams as they can get in the world cup.