The Cook Islands Rugby League have confirmed their Men’s and Women’s squads for the 2025 Pacific Championships, with both teams set for tough fixtures in Port Moresby this October.
🏉 Men’s Squad
The Men’s Cook Islands side, led by a blend of NRL and international experience, will face Fiji Bati and Papua New Guinea Kumuls across consecutive weekends in Port Moresby.
Coach Tony Iro has named a strong squad featuring Marata Niukore, Davvy Moale, and Esan Marsters, alongside several new faces earning their first representative call-up.
Cook Islands Men’s Squad (2025):
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Brad Takairangi | South West Goannas |
| Brendan Piakura | Brisbane Broncos |
| Brody Tamarua | Norths Devils |
| Cassius Cowley* | Wynnum-Manly Seagulls |
| Davvy Moale | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Delahia Wigmore | Penrith Panthers |
| Esan Marsters | Salford Red Devils |
| Esom Ioka | Northern Pride |
| Justin Makirere | Norths Devils |
| KL Iro | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Marata Niukore | New Zealand Warriors |
| Makahesi Makatoa | Sydney Roosters |
| Mason Teague | Newcastle Knights |
| Paul Ulberg | Toulouse Olympique |
| Pride Petterson-Robati | Souths Logan Magpies |
| Reuben Porter | Wests Tigers |
| Reubenn Rennie | Toulouse Olympique |
| Rua Ngatikaura | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Teapo Stoltman* | Souths Logan Magpies |
| Tepai Moeroa | North Sydney Bears |
*Denotes debutant
🏆 Women’s Squad (Vaine Moana)
The Cook Islands Vaine Moana have also named their 2025 Pacific Championships squad, featuring an exciting group of domestic and international-based players under head coach Ronald Griffiths.
The women’s team will face the PNG Orchids and Tonga in back-to-back matches at Santos National Football Stadium.
Vaine Moana 2025 Squad:
| Player |
|---|
| April Ngatupuna |
| Ashlee Matapo* |
| Chantay Kiria-Ratu |
| Deleni Paitai-Wakely* |
| Hannah Makira* |
| Jazmon Tupou-Witchman |
| Jodeci Joseph |
| Kaiyah Atai |
| Keira Rangi* |
| Kerehitna Matua |
| Kiana Takairangi |
| Kiarah Siaune |
| Lavinia Kitai |
| Lydia Turua-Quedley |
| Memory Paitai* |
| Ngatokotoru Arakua |
| Paulina Morris-Ponga |
| Patepaeru Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu |
| Pearl Tuitama* |
| Porche John* |
*Denotes debutant
Head Coach: Ronald Griffiths
📅 Pacific Championships Fixtures – Cook Islands
| Team | Opponent | Date | Time (AEDT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Fiji Bati | Oct 18 | 4:00pm | Port Moresby |
| Women | PNG Orchids | Oct 18 | 2:00pm | Port Moresby |
| Men | PNG Kumuls | Oct 25 | 4:00pm | Port Moresby |
| Women | Tonga | Oct 25 | 2:00pm | Port Moresby |
🌍 World Cup Qualifier Ahead
Following the Pacific Championships, the Cook Islands Men will play a crucial 2026 Rugby League World Cup Qualifier against South Africa at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, on November 9.
