'It's what the ancestors did': Aitu vow to be giantkillers

Maroons centre Valentine Holmes, who has represented Australia in 21 Tests, is set to join the Cook Islands team for the upcoming World Cup. There may be additional prominent players added to the squad now that the Aitu have secured their spot.

The Cook Islands will compete alongside Australia, England, Fiji, France, Lebanon, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga, making a total of 10 men's teams at the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026, which will take place in Australia and Papua New Guinea next October and November.