LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Cook Islands have secured the final spot in the upcoming Rugby League World Cup after a decisive 58-6 victory over South Africa, spearheaded by Warriors star Marata Niukore.
In a dominant display at Western Sydney Stadium, Niukore scored two tries, showcasing the Cook Islands' superior skills against the Rhinos. Despite lacking NRL players and featuring mainly State Cup members, South Africa initially took a 6-4 lead and managed to stay competitive for a while.
However, the momentum shifted when prop Davvy Moale barged through three defenders to put the Cook Islands ahead 10-6, effectively dimming South Africa's hopes of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2000.
Before halftime, both Esan Marsters and Niukore added to the score, solidifying the Cook Islands' advantage.
The second half turned into a complete rout, with five-eighth Cassius Cowley contributing two tries, while Niukore capped off his performance with another well-executed line. The highlight of the match came from Brendan Piakura, who electrified the crowd by splitting two defenders at halfway and evading South Africa's fullback to score a spectacular try.