Australia has already secured a semi-final berth, but there are still plenty of questions for the Kangaroos to answer before the knockout stage begins. After two less-than-convincing wins over New Zealand and Fiji, Kevin Walters’ side will be looking for a complete performance against the Cook Islands and an opportunity to settle on its best combinations ahead of the finals.
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Men’s Rugby League World Cup
- England vs Papua New Guinea → england-vs-papua-new-guinea-rlwc-preview-2026
- New Zealand vs Fiji → new-zealand-vs-fiji-rlwc-preview-2026
- Australia vs Cook Islands → australia-vs-cook-islands-rlwc-preview-2026
- Tonga vs Samoa → tonga-vs-samoa-rlwc-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Saturday, October 31, 8:05pm AEDT at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Referee: Ashley Klein | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Australia: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Tom Trbojevic, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Patrick Carrigan, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Jacob Preston, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo (c), 14. Ethan Strange, 15. Keaon Koloamatangi, 16. Cameron Murray, 17. Reuben Cotter, 18. Lindsay Smith, 19. James Tedesco, R. Sam Walker, R. Latrell Mitchell, R. David Fifita
Cook Islands: 1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Paul Ulberg, 3. KL Iro (c), 4. Reubenn Rennie, 5. Cameron Brown, 6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio, 7. Brad Takairangi, 8. Davvy Moale, 9. Rua Ngatikaura, 10. Rhys Dakin, 11. Amare Milford, 12. Delahia Wigmore, 13. Mason Teague, 14. Esan Marsters, 15. K-CI Newton-Whare, 16. Makahesi Makatoa, 17. David Tuariki, 18. Chaev Kolone, 19. Glassie Glassie, R. Brody Tamarua, R. Pride Petterson-Robati, R. Esom Ioka, R. Reuben Porter
Match Preview
While Australia are guaranteed to make the semi-finals, they still have some questions to answer when they play the Cook Islands in their final Pool A game. They’ve had two close wins, leaked tries through their edge defence, and were dominated in the middle by the Kiwis and Fiji.
They were lucky to not trail 20-0 against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, with intercept tries to Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic keeping them in the contest, while Mitchell Moses (high-grade muscle tear) left the field in the second half and was ruled out for the rest of the tournament. It took some individual brilliance from Reece Walsh and a Bostock hat-trick to help Australia win 24-22.
And the Kangaroos weren’t much better against Fiji at Suncorp Stadium, with coach Kevin Walters rotating the squad for a match they were expected to win comfortably. While Walters has won all five games since taking over in last year’s Ashes, none of the wins have been convincing, and there’s been a lot of debate about his selections. Walters is coaching St Helens next year, so Australia will have a new coach for the 2027 Pacific Championships.
The 36-22 margin didn’t do Fiji justice, with the Bati leading 16-12 after 44 minutes. Former Canberra Raider/North Queensland Cowboy Semi Valemei scored a hat-trick on the left wing, with the Dolphins’ Kurt Donoghoe throwing three wonderful cut-out passes. Trbojevic answered with a hat-trick of his own: his first try starting Australia’s comeback after Fiji had a try disallowed. Even when Australia started to look comfortable, Fiji got back within eight points with 10 minutes left when Valemei scored his third try.
Fortunately for the Kangaroos, they can warm up for the semi-finals by comfortably beating the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands have been dominated by Fiji and New Zealand, scoring 28 points and conceding 122. The Brisbane Tigers’ Esom Ioka scored a hat-trick against New Zealand, giving the Cook Islands a 16-12 lead after 20 minutes, but then the Kiwis scored the next 12 tries. The margin doesn’t matter in this match: the more important thing is whether Australia can quickly build confidence and combinations for the knockout games.
Australia has named close to their strongest side: Walsh, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Cameron Munster, Pat Carrigan, Harry Grant, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui all return to the starting side. Munster will partner Tom Dearden in the halves, with Sam Walker moving to the reserves. After being a squad member in last year’s Ashes, Ethan Strange will make his Kangaroos debut off the bench. James Tedesco is on the six-man bench, David Fifita is in the reserves, and Blayke Brailey drops out.
Only one change for the Cook Islands: Ioka is out with injury, replaced by Paul Ulberg on the wing.
While Australia and the Cook Islands have never played each other before, the Kangaroos won their only Test match in Townsville, beating Samoa 38-12 in the 2023 Pacific Championships.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Australia by 40.
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