Australia vs Cook Islands Prediction & Tips: Rugby League World Cup

Australia have already won Pool A, and they meet the Cook Islands in Townsville for the first time with semi-final combinations to settle. Our tip, the odds and the named teams.

Australia have already won Pool A, so this is about combinations and form before the semi-final. The Kangaroos beat New Zealand 24-22 and Fiji 36-22; the Cook Islands lost to Fiji and New Zealand and are out. It is the first Test between the two nations, and the Cook Islands fullback Valentine Holmes is a Townsville local and former Kangaroo.

Below are our tip and the reasoning, the head to head, the named teams and what is at stake. Every match is on our Rugby League World Cup hub.

Match Details

Australia vs Cook Islands Tips & Prediction

Our pick: Australia to win. Australia are at home and the Cook Islands have conceded 122 points in two games.

Best bet: Cook Islands +71.5 at the line (about $1.96). That is still a huge start. Australia have named close to their strongest side, with Reece Walsh, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Isaah Yeo back, so this is less of a rotation game than it looked on Monday. But New Zealand beat the Cook Islands by 66, and Australia have nothing riding on the result a week out from their semi-final.

The odds. Bookmakers are not offering a sensible head-to-head price on Australia; the Cook Islands are $67 at Ladbrokes on Tuesday evening (27 October), after the teams were named. The line is Australia -72.5 at $1.90, with the Cook Islands +71.5 at $1.96, and the total is 79.5. Prices move with late team news, so compare them on the day.

Australia vs Cook Islands Head to Head

This is the first Test between Australia and the Cook Islands.

Form at this World Cup

Australia beat New Zealand 24-22 in Sydney in the opener, with a Jack Bostock hat-trick on debut, then beat Fiji 36-22 in Brisbane after trailing 16-12, with a hat-trick for Tom Trbojevic.

Cook Islands lost 40-12 to Fiji in Newcastle and 82-16 to New Zealand in Christchurch, where Esom Ioka scored a hat-trick.

Australia vs Cook Islands Team News

Both teams were named on Tuesday 27 October. Coaches can still make changes up to an hour before kick-off, so check the late mail on the day.

Australia: named team

Kevin Walters has gone close to full strength. Reece Walsh returns at fullback and James Tedesco drops to the bench, Isaah Yeo is back at lock as captain, and Cameron Munster partners Tom Dearden in the halves, with Sam Walker a reserve. Canberra’s Ethan Strange is on the bench for a Test debut. Mitchell Moses is out for the tournament. Named team: Reece Walsh; Jack Bostock, Kotoni Staggs, Bradman Best, Tom Trbojevic; Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden; Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo (c). Bench: Ethan Strange, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Smith, James Tedesco.

Cook Islands: named team

One change: Toulouse’s Paul Ulberg comes in on the wing for Esom Ioka, who was injured against New Zealand. Valentine Holmes is at fullback and KL Iro captains the side. Named team: Valentine Holmes; Paul Ulberg, KL Iro (c), Reubenn Rennie, Cameron Brown; Maui Winitana-Patelesio, Brad Takairangi; Davvy Moale, Rua Ngatikaura, Rhys Dakin, Amare Milford, Delahia Wigmore, Mason Teague. The bench includes Esan Marsters, K-CI Newton-Whare and Makahesi Makatoa.

What Is at Stake

Nothing for the table: Australia finish top of Pool A whatever happens, because they beat both New Zealand and Fiji, and they play the runner-up of the Pools B and C table in Sydney on Sunday 8 November. The Cook Islands are out. For Australia it is the last chance to settle their best 17 before the semi-final.

Australia vs Cook Islands Betting Markets

• Head to head: the match winner, with golden point extra time if it is level at full time.
• Line: a points start for the underdog, usually the better market when the head-to-head price is short.
• Total points: over or under a set number of combined points.
• Try scorers: first, last and anytime try scorer markets on both squads.
• Same game multi: a result, margin and try scorers in one bet. See our same game multi guide.

Compare prices across our best NRL betting sites, which all price the World Cup.

Australia vs Cook Islands FAQs

When is Australia vs Cook Islands at the Rugby League World Cup?

Saturday 31 October 2026 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, kicking off at 8:05pm AEDT (7:05pm local).

Have Australia and the Cook Islands played before?

No. This is the first Test between the two nations.

Who will win Australia vs Cook Islands?

Our pick is Australia, but our best bet is the Cook Islands +71.5 at the line, because that start is bigger than New Zealand’s 66-point winning margin against them, even with Australia naming a strong side.

Who do Australia play in the semi-final?

The runner-up of the combined Pools B and C table, in Sydney on Sunday 8 November. That will be decided by the Tonga v Samoa game on Sunday 1 November.

Where can I watch Australia vs Cook Islands?

Live and free on Seven and 7plus in Australia.

More Rugby League World Cup Coverage

• England vs PNG tips
• New Zealand vs Fiji tips
• Lebanon vs France tips
• Tonga vs Samoa tips
• Jillaroos vs Wales tips
• Australia 36-22 Fiji: result
• New Zealand 82-16 Cook Islands: result
• Rugby League World Cup hub: schedule, ladder and tips
• Results and ladder
• Schedule and TV guide
• Women’s Rugby League World Cup
• The final

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