The Cook Islands arrive at the Rugby League World Cup with Valentine Holmes as part of their roster, and a dream to cause upsets after working their way through qualifying.
The Cook Islands were the last team to quality for the tournament, having got the better of South Africa at the end of last year, and will now look to push ahead with the difficult task of navigating Group A.
There they will clash with Fiji, but also tournament big guns Australia and New Zealand.
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Holmes is not the only NRL-recognised player in what is a reasonably well balanced side that includes the likes of KL Iro and Marata Niukore as co-captains and other experienced Cook Islands players.
Ultimately, the Aitu won’t be expected to move the needle throughout the course of the tournament, but could put some stars of the future on display as Karmichael Hunt’s side look to continue improving.
Here is how the Cook Islands line up at full strength ahead of their games against Fiji on October 18 in Newcastle, New Zealand on October 25 in Christchurch, and Australia on October 31 in Townsville.
Full squad
Cameron Brown, Rhys Dakin, Glassie Glassie, Valentine Holmes, Esom Ioka, KL Iro (c), Chaev Kolone, Makahesi Makatoa, Esan Marsters, Amare Milford, Davvy Moale, K-CI Newton-Whare, Rua Ngatikaura, Marata Niukore (c), Pride Petterson-Robati, Reuben Porter, Reubenn Rennie, Brad Takairangi, Mason Teague, David Tuariki, Paul Ulberg, Delahia Wigmore, Maui Winitana-Patelesio
Fullback
Valentine Holmes joins the Cook Islands squad for the first time and will likely head to the position he spent much of his NRL career in.
WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA – MAY 10: Valentine Holmes of the Dragons runs the ball during the round 10 NRL match between St George Illawarra Dragons and New Zealand Warriors at WIN Stadium on May 10, 2025 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
It was a tough year for Holmes in the centres at the Dragons for the most part, but he should find his feet nicely for the Cook Islands with more room to run.
Brisbane Tigers fullback Cameron Brown, who has made five QLD Cup appearances and impressed in them, is the other option in the squad.
Wingers
Paul Ulberg, who plays his footy for Toulouse Olympique and is one of the more experienced players in the Aitu squad at 30 years of age, will line up on the wing again after scoring 11 Super League tries this year.
Esom Ioka, who has scored 22 tries in 21 games for the Brisbane Tigers at QLD Cup level this year will line up on the other side of the park and look to continue his impressive form.
Wests Tigers junior Glassie Glassie is the other option in the Cook Islands squad, but likely well behind the two starters.
If for whatever reason Holmes doesn’t play at fullback, the wing is another option.
Centres
In the centres, KL Iro is the walk-up starter, and one of the Cook Islands’ most important players.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 11: Kayal Iro of the Sharks celebrates scoring a try during the round 10 NRL match between Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks at 4 Pines Park, on May 11, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The Sharks centre is a try-scoring weapon and will be hoping a few weeks off since his last game at club level allows him to get back to his best.
Long-term Aitu player Esan Marsters, who has been used in other positions over the journey, should be back in his more favoured centre role for the World Cup.
Reubenn Rennie is the other option for the centres.
Halves
The halves are where, as they have done over the years, the Cook Islands are a little bit short on talent.
The experienced Brad Takairangi, who has played on both sides of the world but now lines up for the Glebe Dirty Reds at the age of 38, and likely in his last major international tournament, will likely take the five-eighth jersey.
He will be joined by emerging young gun Maui Winitana-Patelesio out of the Warrior system.
Esan Marsters could be forced to shuffle into the halves if there are issues.
Middle forwards
The Cook Islands have a number of recognisable names in their middle third.
Makahesi Makatoa and Davvy Moale, who had a mixed season for the Storm and will be looking to make a statement before he heads to Manly, will take the prop positions.
Makahesi Makatoa warming up at Parramatta Eels training. (Photo by Joshua Davis)
Pride Petterson-Robati, a former fringe NRL player now toiling in the QLD Cup, should line up at lock.
Melbourne Storm young gun K-CI Newtown-Whare is probably the closest to the run-on side, while Sydney Rooster Rhys Dakin, Raider Chaev Kolone and another Storm junior in David Tuariki are also in the squad.
Hooker
There are two dummy half options for the Cook Islands, with Mason Teague, who has worked his way around NRL pathways and is off to the Super League next year, likely to hold the starting role.
He will be backed up by Wests Tigers junior Rua Ngatikaura who has plenty of potential, but hasn’t quite recognised it to this point of his career, and has been jumped by other youngsters in Benji Marshall’s system.
He could well look to put himself in the shop window throughout the course of the tournament.
Edge forwards
On the edge, Marata Niukore, who could also be moved into the middle but isn’t needed there from a team balance point of view, is one of the most recognisable faces in the side.
He will be joined by former Tiger now Dragon Reuben Porter.
Delahia Wigmore, out of the Panthers system, is the closest to the side, while Amare Milford also provides depth in the squad.
Interchange
On the bench, Rua Ngatikaura will have a big role to play backing up Mason Teague at hooker who could also yet spend some time at lock.
K-Ci Newton-Whare, Rhys Dakin and Delahia Wigmore at the three forwards we have making the cut, while Reubenn Rennie and Cameron Brown will provide options in the backs as part of the six-man group.
Rennie in particular is likely to see game time at some point, particularly if Marsters needs to shuffle in to the halves where there is a lack of depth for any reason.
The best 19
1. Valentine Holmes
2. Paul Ulberg
3. KL Iro
4. Esan Marsters
5. Esom Ioka
6. Brad Takairangi
7. Maui Winitana-Patelesio
8. Makahesi Makatoa
9. Mason Teague
10. Davvy Moale
11. Marata Niukore
12. Reuben Porter
13. Pride Petterson-Robati
Interchange
14. Rua Ngatikaura
15. K-CI Newton-Whare
16. Rhys Dakin
17. Delahia Wigmore
18. Reubenn Rennie
19. Cameron Brown
Not in 19 – Glassie Glassie, Chaev Kolone, Amare Milford, David Tuariki