Fiji vs Cook Islands Tips: Rugby League World Cup Preview

Fiji and the Cook Islands meet in Newcastle in their first match of the World Cup, and the first time the two have met at a World Cup at all.

Fiji and the Cook Islands meet in Newcastle in their first match of the World Cup, and the first time the two have met at a World Cup at all. They share Pool A with Australia and New Zealand, so this is the game that most likely decides third place. Fiji have won the last three meetings, all in the Pacific Bowl.

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

Match Details

Detail	Info
Competition	Rugby League World Cup, Pool A, Round 1
Date	Sunday 18 October 2026
Kick-off	4:05pm AEDT (3:05pm AEST in Queensland)
Venue	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Broadcast	Seven and 7plus, free-to-air
Coaches	Mick Potter (Fiji), Karmichael Hunt (Cook Islands)
Captains	Apisai Koroisau (Fiji), KL Iro and Marata Niukore (Cook Islands)

Fiji vs Cook Islands Tips & Prediction

Our pick: Fiji to win. Fiji have beaten the Cook Islands in each of the last three Pacific Bowl meetings, 22-18 in 2023, 56-6 in 2024 and 44-24 last year, and they reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup. Apisai Koroisau, Sunia Turuva and Jacob Saifiti, back from suspension and playing at his home ground, give them an NRL spine and pack.

The gap is smaller than those scores suggest. Fiji are without Viliame Kikau, who was named co-captain in September but has an ankle injury, and Jahream Bula, who scored four tries against the Cook Islands last year. The Cooks have added Valentine Holmes, a two-time World Cup winner with Australia, and the Roosters premiership pair Rhys Dakin and Makahesi Makatoa.

Best value: Fiji by 1-12. With Kikau and Bula missing and Holmes in, we expect a closer game than the last two meetings.

Fiji vs Cook Islands Head to Head

Fiji lead the head to head 9-5 from 14 Tests. This is the first meeting at a World Cup.

Date	Result	Venue	Competition
October 2025	Fiji 44-24 Cook Islands	Port Moresby	Pacific Bowl
October 2024	Fiji 56-6 Cook Islands	Suva	Pacific Bowl
October 2023	Fiji 22-18 Cook Islands	Port Moresby	Pacific Bowl
October 2009	Cook Islands 24-22 Fiji	Port Moresby	Test
January 2007	Fiji 50-12 Cook Islands	Coffs Harbour	Test

Recent form

Fiji finished second in the Pacific Bowl in both 2024 and 2025, beating the Cook Islands and losing to PNG each time. At the last World Cup they beat Italy and Scotland, lost 42-8 to Australia, and went out 24-18 to New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

The Cook Islands finished third in the Pacific Bowl in both years, then beat South Africa 58-6 in November 2025 to qualify for this tournament. At the last World Cup they beat Wales but lost to PNG and Tonga and went out in the group stage.

Fiji Team News

Mick Potter named his 23 on 5 October, with Apisai Koroisau expected to captain the side. Viliame Kikau (ankle) and Jahream Bula (shoulder) are out, Tui Kamikamica has retired, and the Fainu brothers were ruled ineligible.

Squad: Apisai Koroisau, Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Waqa Blake, Kurt Donoghoe, Apenisa Driti, Kitione Kautoga, Elijah Keung, Josese Lanyon, Jordan Leiu, Joseph Litidamu, Kylan Mafoa, Jordan Miller, Taane Milne, Caleb Navale, Jimmy Ngutlik, Ronald Philitoga, Mitchell Prest, Emosi Ravosai, Jacob Saifiti, Solomone Saukuru, Sunia Turuva, Semi Valemei, Brandon Wakeham.

Cook Islands Team News

Karmichael Hunt named his 23 on 6 October, with KL Iro and Marata Niukore as co-captains. Valentine Holmes makes his Cook Islands debut, and Brendan Piakura is out after a series of concussions.

Squad: KL Iro (c), Marata Niukore (c), Cameron Brown, Rhys Dakin, Glassie Glassie, Valentine Holmes, Esom Ioka, Chaev Kolone, Makahesi Makatoa, Esan Marsters, Amare Milford, Davvy Moale, K-Ci Newton-Whare, Rua Ngatikaura, Pride Petterson-Robati, Reuben Porter, Reubenn Rennie, Brad Takairangi, Mason Teague, David Tuariki, Paul Ulberg, Delahia Wigmore, Maui Winitana-Patelesio.

What Is at Stake

Only the top two in Pool A reach the semi-finals, so the winner here still needs an upset against Australia or New Zealand to go through. Realistically, this game decides third place in the pool.

Team	Remaining games
Fiji	Australia (Sun 25 Oct, Suncorp Stadium), New Zealand (Sat 31 Oct, Gold Coast)
Cook Islands	New Zealand (Sun 25 Oct, Christchurch), Australia (Sat 31 Oct, Townsville)

Fiji vs Cook Islands Betting Markets

• Head to head: the match winner, with golden point extra time if it is level after 80 minutes.
• Line: a points start for the underdog, usually the better market when the head-to-head price is short.
• Winning margin: bands such as 1-12 and 13+.
• 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.

Fiji vs Cook Islands FAQs

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

Sunday 18 October 2026 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, kicking off at 4:05pm AEDT.

Where can I watch Fiji vs Cook Islands?

Live and free on Seven and 7plus in Australia.

Who will win Fiji vs Cook Islands?

Our pick is Fiji, with Fiji by 1-12 as the value bet because of the players Fiji are missing.

What is the Fiji vs Cook Islands head to head?

Fiji lead 9-5 from 14 Tests and have won the last three meetings, all in the Pacific Bowl.

More Rugby League World Cup Coverage

• Rugby League World Cup hub: schedule, ladder and tips
• Australia vs New Zealand tips
• Samoa vs France tips
• Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon tips
• England vs Tonga tips
• NRL tips hub
• Women’s Rugby League World Cup
• Rugby League World Cup winners
• The final
• Results and ladder
• Schedule and TV guide
• Squads

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