{"id":310768,"date":"2025-11-26T21:34:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T21:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/310768\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T21:34:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T21:34:08","slug":"2026-rugby-league-world-cup-what-will-cook-islands-24-man-squad-look-like-nrl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/310768\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Rugby League World Cup: What will Cook Islands’ 24-man squad look like? – NRL News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The 2026 Rugby League World Cup<\/a> (RLWC) is less than 12 months away and every nation will be looking to dethrone Australia<\/a> to become the new world champions and hold the title of World Cup winners.<\/p>\n

One of the underdogs, the Cook Islands<\/a>, will look to produce some upsets at the upcoming RLWC after defeating South Africa in the qualifying round.<\/p>\n

In what is set to be their best squad to date, the side is set to be headlined by star duo KL Iro<\/a> and Valentine Holmes<\/a> and also include the likes of Davvy Moale<\/a>, Brendan Piakura<\/a> and Marata Niukore<\/a> in the forward pack.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the international status of Broncos front-rower Xavier Willison<\/a> remains unknown after he represented the New Zealand<\/a> Kiwis at the recent Pacific Championships.<\/p>\n

In what is a different squad from what was named for the 2022 RLWC, only 12 of the 24 members are set to return for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Predicted Cook Islands squad for 2026 RLWC<\/p>\n


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