Cook Islands confirm Rugby League World Cup squad, Valentine Holmes to debut

An enormous in for the Cook Islands.

EDITOR | October 6, 2026 - 6:51pm

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Valentine Holmes will debut for the Cook Islands at the Rugby League World Cup, as the Aitu look to perform a miracle against New Zealand and Australia.

The Cook Islands squad features Holmes alongside the likes of KL Iro, Makahesi Makatoa, Esan Marsters, Davvy Moale, Marata Niukore, Pride Petterson-Robati, Brad Takairangi and Mason Teague as players with either current or prior NRL experience.

Holmes has spent his career in the mix for Australian jerseys, however, approaching the twilight, he was convinced by the ever passionate Iro to switch allegiances and turn out for the small Pacific Island nation.

The big out for the Cook Islands is Brendan Piakura, who has played for the nation previously but is unavailable for this World Cup as he grapples with a career-threatening string of concussions that left him sidelined at the Brisbane Broncos during the second half of the NRL season.

The Cook Islands, who qualified for the tournament by beating South Africa last year, will open their tournament against Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, October 18, before clashing with New Zealand in Christchurch, and Australia in Townsville.

The top two teams from their Group A go through to the semi-finals.