Australia are comfortably the superior of the two sides but there are still serious issues with execution for the defending champions.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n 39 mins: And Cook Islands almost make them pay! The bomb on the last isn\u2019t dealt with and the scraps land in white hands. There are numbers on the right but a combinatino of inaccurate passing and Australia\u2019s desperation denies the score. Cook Islands come again and Takairangi grubbers through on tackle two but the Kangaroos are well set. The underdogs get the ball back again and this time Holmes tries to grubber on the left, but to no avail.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 37 mins: Another sloppy couple of phases from the Kangaroos. First up there\u2019s a poor connection on the left edge with a try in the offing following the penalty to Munster. Then Yeo loses his bearings on halfway and instead of accepting contact throws a pass that\u2019s both forward and off target.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 35 mins: Ooof! A massive sharp intake of breath as Munster yelps in pain as Holmes near-hip-drop tackles the stand-off as he took bodies with him towards the posts. He seems ok, thankfully. Meanwhile replays show Trbojevic wincing after rolling his ankle. Kevin Walters will be keeping Ethan Strange on his toes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 34 mins: Australia with a solid restart set, Cook Islands not so much. Not only does Brown carry loosely coming out of defence he burns a captain\u2019s challenge in the process.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>CONVERTED TRY! Australia 28-6 Cook Islands (Walsh, 32)<\/p>\n Too easy for the Kangaroos. On defensive 30 Australia shift from the right edge through hands to Munster who holds the ball up and drops it inside to Preston who accelerates through a non-existent defensive line. For the second time tonight the Bulldog has only one man to beat and this time he draws in Holmes then offloads to Walsh on his shoulder. A training ground 70m score.<\/p>\n Interestingly, Munster takes over kicking duties. There has been a suggestion Walsh has picked up a foot injury. The Storm five-eighth makes no mistake with the easy conversion.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 30 mins: Couple of issues on Australia\u2019s right side with a forward pass denying Trbojevic a line break, then the Manly flyer getting beaten in the air and knocking on. Or maybe not. A captain\u2019s challenge successfully proves the first touch in the duel was from Brown.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 28 mins: Walsh has certainly done his chances of holding onto the No 1 jersey no harm so far. Dearden is rubber stamping his position at halfback, on his home patch the Cowboy has been the star for Australia so far.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>CONVERTED TRY! Australia 22-6 Cook Islands (Staggs, 26)<\/p>\n Cook Islands are really grinding hard for little reward now. Australia are starting to squeeze the territorial game and finding runners on the burst at first and second receiver. Preston is one of those and he carves his way through the wobbly line and almost shimmies around Holmes at fullback. Then Dearden takes over, taking control on the right edge and throwing a long angled bullet pass that cuts out two white-shirted defenders and enables Staggs to extend his highlights reel.<\/p>\n Walsh curls over another massive hooking conversion.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 23 mins: Another good restart set from Australia honoured by a long Munster kick. Cook Islands are slow to get behind the ball and look in need of some inspiration. Takairangi tries another spiral but Walsh is equal to it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>CONVERTED TRY! Australia 16-6 Cook Islands (Fa\u2019asuamaleaui, 21)<\/p>\n Excellent Australian restart set. Grant snipes 30m from the ruck, Munster follows in his wake, and the kick on the last bobbles in-goal. The Cook Islands\u2019 middle defence is all over the place at the moment, as is their counterattack, as a Holmes loose carry coming out defence creates havoc. The Kangaroos will surely score here, it\u2019s just a case of who and when. The answer is Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui, a few phases later than you might have expected.<\/p>\n Walsh dabs over from point blank range.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 20 mins: Much like against Fiji, Australia have been below par but lead on the scoreboard.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>CONVERTED TRY! Australia 10-6 Cook Islands (Trbojevic, 18)<\/p>\n And just like that Australia score. Cook Islands fail to nail their tackles as the Kangaroos rumble downfield and by the 30m line Grant is able to take his time at dummy-half and still unlock the overlap on his right. Dearden is vital, taking the ball to the line and opening the gap for Trbojevic on his outside to walk into the right corner.<\/p>\n Walsh curls over a massive hooking left-footed effort to extend the lead.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 17 mins: A set restart for offside allows Cook Islands a full set 30m out. They look to the right before Takairangi redirects to the left and the powerful Iro on the burst. It\u2019s all Cook Islands at the moment \u2013 but another kick wastes all that momentum \u2013 Takairangi overhitting on the last for Best to mark in-goal and run clear.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 15 mins: Cook Islands complete a solid set and Takairangi launches a vicious spiralling torpedo. Under pressure, Bostock comes forward and marks brilliantly on the run, but a couple of phases later Grant hurls a poor pass from dummy-half that Yeo knocks on. After a bright start Australia are on the back foot.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 13 mins: Holmes enters the line from fullback, steps off his left and almost, almost, gets inside Martin \u2013 if he had there was an overlap on his outside. There\u2019s a penalty at the ruck so the outsiders can launch another full assault\u2026 but no! Winitana-Patelesio kicks on tackle two and Best mops up the harmless grubber on the line. Massive missed opportunity. Australia run clear with Dearden busy but make little ground.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 11 mins: Yikes! Now Walsh belts his restart over the dead ball line. Cook Islands resume 25m out.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>CONVERTED TRY! Australia 4-6 Cook Islands (Ngatikaura, 9)<\/p>\n Ruatapu Ngatikaura you beauty! From A1 attacking territory the Cook Islands forwards batter the line for three tackles then on a quick play-the-ball Ngatikaura throws a massive dummy to his left before wriggling between Walsh and Carrigan on the line for a memorable score! Holmes dabs over the extras and the underdogs are ahead!<\/p>\n Rua Ngatikaura scores a try for Cook Islands. Photograph: Ian Hitchcock\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.21 EDT<\/p>\n 9 mins: And now a penalty against Harry Grant for getting in the way of a Cook Islands kick chaser following an unremarkable set either side of halfway. Suddenly the underdogs have a full set in the red zone.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 7 mins: Of course, as soon as I type that the Kangaroos make an error. Dearden creates a gap for Martin to cut into but the experienced Panther spills the pass. Australia look well balanced with Dearden on the right, Munster on the left, and Walsh assisting both on the drift.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 6 mins: Australia\u2019s restart set is solid and there\u2019s plenty of intensity again in the defensive effort with Tino throwing his weight around. This is a far more familiar showing so far from the hosts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 4-0 Cook Islands (Bostock, 3)<\/p>\n The scoreboard is ticking over early and Reece Walsh has made a statement in his claims for the No 1 jersey. With the Kangaroos starting their second set just 15m out, a couple of drives towards the posts draws defenders in, then Walsh takes the second pass off the ruck from Munster, bides his time, waits for the Cook Islands to rush up, then throws a long loopy pass out to Bostock on the touchline who has the simple job of catching and touching down in the left corner. Textbook playmaking from the Bronco.<\/p>\n Walsh curls his conversion attempt across the face.<\/p>\n Jack Bostock celebrates after scoring a try for the Kangaroos against Cook Islands. Photograph: Ian Hitchcock\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.20 EDT<\/p>\n 2 mins: A much better start from the Australian pack, denying Cook Islands any room in their opening drive. Bostock, Walsh and Best then make good metres with ball in hand allowing a dangerous high bomb on the last that Brown spills in the corner! The Kangaroos regather and they are immediately on the front foot.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Kick-off!<\/p>\n Reece Walsh swings his boot through the Steeden and the final match in Pool A is under way\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Time for the Cook Islands\u2019 dramatic pregame Pe\u2019e.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n As an aside, I have pilfered stacks of my 11 year old\u2019s halloween candy haul, so apologies in advance for the sugar crash that I\u2019m predicting will arrive around half-time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The two teams walk out into the muggy Townsville evening. With plenty of empty seats in the half-full arena it is not the most ferocious of welcomes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The Kangaroos will be wearing their familiar dark green uniform with gold accents. Plenty of green in the Cook Islands outfit as well, but it is the secondary colour to a majority white base.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Tonight\u2019s referee is NRL veteran Ashley Klein.<\/p>\n Ashley Klein is one of the most experienced referees in rugby league history. Photograph: Dave Hunt\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Conditions are tropical in north Queensland with the temperature a balmy 27C, made to feel stickier with cloud cover and high humidity. Showers are drifting around on a moderate onshore breeze.<\/p>\n Ethan Strange will hope to make an impact off the bench and press his claims for a spot in the semi-final squad. Photograph: Dave Hunt\/AAPShare<\/a>Knockout permutations<\/p>\n Pool A<\/p>\n If Australia beat Cook Islands they will top the group.<\/p>\n Assuming that is the case, New Zealand will finish second and join the Kangaroos in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n Pool B<\/p>\n The winner of Tonga v Samoa tomorrow will top the group and play New Zealand in the semi-finals, the loser will finish second and face Australia.<\/p>\n Unless\u2026 Tonga win by more than 46 points, in which case England will progress as runners-up.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The biggest match of round three takes place tomorrow with Tonga and Samoa taking over western Sydney in a clash that will determine the make-up of the semi-finals.<\/p>\n double quotation markDemand for tickets has been so great it has caught organisers flat-footed. A plan to move Sunday\u2019s Tonga-Samoa blockbuster from Commbank to Accor Stadium at Olympic Park, which the NRL believes<\/a> would have brought in 60,000 fans, was only unsuccessful because it would have clashed with pre-booked concerts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Round 3 Scores<\/p>\n England 34-12 PNG<\/p>\n New Zealand 78-0 Fiji<\/p>\n In today\u2019s earlier match the Kiwis continued their march to the semi-finals in a fiery encounter against Fiji. New Zealand\u2019s Ronaldo Mulitalo was red carded for a high shot that could rule him out of next week\u2019s action, while Fiji\u2019s Brandon Wakeham was sent off for punching the Sharks winger after the incident. There was also bad news for Api Koroisau who broke his jaw in the first half.<\/p>\n Yesterday, England all-but bowed out of the competition after they failed to press home their early advantage against PNG to secure the comprehensive victory they required to keep their slim hopes alive.<\/p>\n double quotation markBut when their fate is officially sealed on Sunday, the inquest should really begin into how English rugby league has found itself in the position among international rugby league\u2019s new-age pecking order it is in. Talk about who should coach the team or who should play half-back are distractions. If those in charge do not wake up, England will continue to drift from the world\u2019s elite.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Team News<\/p>\n Australia: Kevin Walters has signalled that Reece Walsh is winning the race for Australia\u2019s No 1 jersey after the Queenslander was selected at fullback ahead of New South Welshman James Tedesco. The other crucial decision has fallen the way of Tom Dearden, with the Cowboy edging out halfback rival Sam Walker.<\/p>\n Up front, Walters has reverted to the forward pack that started against New Zealand in round one, suggesting places remain up for grabs in the engine room. The only figure to miss out through injury is Cameron Murray, who was a late withdrawal from the bench.<\/p>\n Cook Islands: Just the one change to Karmichael Hunt\u2019s squad, and it\u2019s an enforced one, with last week\u2019s hat-trick hero Esom Ioka missing out with injury. Esan Marsters comes off the interchange and onto the wing with Pride Petterson-Robati moving onto the bench. There\u2019s also a shuffle in the starting XIII with Chaev Kolone taking the No 11 jersey from Amare Milford.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Cook Islands XIII<\/p>\n 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Cameron Brown 3. KL Iro (c) 4. Reubenn Rennie 5. Esan Marsters 6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio 7. Brad Takairangi 8. Davvy Moale 9. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 10. Rhys Dakin 11. Chaev Kolone 12. Delahia Wigmore 13. Mason Teague.<\/p>\n Interchange: 14. David Tuariki 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Pride Petterson-Robati 17. Amare Milford 18. K-Ci Newton-Whare 19. Glassie Glassie<\/p>\n Valentine Holmes warms up before Cook Islands meet the Kangaroos at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Photograph: Dave Hunt\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.33 EDT<\/p>\n Australia XIII<\/p>\n 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\u2019asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (c).<\/p>\n Interchange: 14. Ethan Strange 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Lindsay Smith 19. James Tedesco 22. David Fifita<\/p>\n Liam Martin warms up before the Kangaroos take on Cook Islands in Townsville. Photograph: Dave Hunt\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.25 EDT<\/p>\n Preamble Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v Cook Islands in the 2026 men\u2019s Rugby League World Cup<\/a>. Kick-off at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville is from 7.05pm local time (8.05pm AEDT\/9.05am GMT).<\/p>\n The hosts and favourites have been unconvincing in their two victories so far but they are still just 80 minutes away from topping Pool A and reaching the semi-finals. Against a Cook Islands side that has already lost to New Zealand and Fiji, the assignment for the Kangaroos is to find some form ahead of a far sterner task next weekend against either Tonga or Samoa.<\/p>\n Of particular note this evening will be the battle for the No 1 and No 7 jerseys. Reece Walsh and Tom Dearden have been given the nod by Kevin Walters but either could play their way out of the side with James Tedesco and Sam Walker nipping at their heels. Walters will also be eager for a reaction from his pack after consecutive humblings.<\/p>\n This is the Kangaroos\u2019 final tune-up before the serious action begins. It is an opportunity that cannot be wasted.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll be back with final team lists and more shortly. Please send me your emails and keep me company throughout the evening. The address is jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Jonathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1793440824_690_Jonathan_Howcroft.png\")
Jonathan Howcroft<\/p>\n