Australia faces Cook Islands in Rugby League World Cup pool match
The Kangaroos seek to top Pool A and advance to the semi-finals in Townsville.
At a glance
- Match takes place at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville
- Australia needs a win to top Pool A and reach the semi-finals
- Cook Islands has lost both previous matches in the tournament
- Australia's next opponent will be either Tonga or Samoa
Australia plays Cook Islands in the 2026 men's Rugby League World Cup at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville. The match kicks off at 7.05pm local time. Australia has won their first two matches but has been inconsistent, while Cook Islands has lost to New Zealand and Fiji.
A victory would secure top spot in Pool A for Australia and a semi-final berth. The Kangaroos face a more challenging opponent next weekend against either Tonga or Samoa.
Why it matters
The winner advances to the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup, with Australia positioned to progress if they secure victory.
Original reporting
- The Guardian — SportAustralia v Cook Islands: men’s Rugby League World Cup – live
This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.
