Rugby League World Cup continues with Pool D action featuring Wales v Cook Islands which is probably the best chance either of these teams will get to register a Group D victory as the outsiders of the group. Or maybe a launching pad to a surprise knockout appearance.
Our Group D Wales v Cook Islands Match Centre has a preview, stats, team lists before the game and a summary of the match afterwards. More than you could ever need or want.
If you want more information on all the squads – follow this link here.
Wales 12 Cook Islands 18 Summary
Cook Islands have given themselves an outside chance of making the knockout finals with a hard fought 18-12 win over Wales in the final game of Group D and the completing the final game of the first group stage round.
It was a bruising affair where the lead changed a few times in the first half which Wales led 12-8 at the break.
Cook Islands then went on to keep Wales scoreless in the second half while scoring two tries themselves back to back to take the game away from Wales.
In an exciting finish Wales had a chance to steal a draw as they intercepted with 90 minutes to go, then had a full set on the Cook Island line but fell just short.
Cook Islands players dominated the player stats with seven of the top 10 metres eaters and all five of the top player for post contact metres. Plus five of the six best for tackle breaks.
The Cook Islands face PNG next round and if they can get an unlikely win over the Kumuls they will progress to the big stage.
Wales 12 Cook Islands 18 Score
Wales 12
Tries: Rhodri Lloyd 12′ Ollie Olds 26′
Goals: Matty Fozard 2 Conv
Cook Islands 18
Tries: Anthony Gelling 21′ Davvy Moale 58′ Steven Marsters 63′
Goals: Steven Marsters 2 Conv, 1 Pen
Wales v Cook Islands Match Stats
Wales v Cook Islands Teams
WALES
1 Caleb Aekins
2 Rhys Williams
4 Will Evans
6 Elliot Kear
19 Mike Butt
14 Ollie Olds
7 Josh Ralph
8 Anthony Walker
9 Matty Fozard
10 Dan Fleming
11 Rhodri Lloyd
17 Bailey Antrobus
16 Joe Burke
12 Chester Butler
13 Ben Evans
15 Curtis Davies
18 Connor Davies
21 Tom Hopkins
COOK ISLANDS
1 Kayal Iro
2 Paul Ulberg
3 Anthony Gelling
16 Reubenn Rennie
5 Steven Marsters
4 Esan Marsters
7 Johnathon Ford
10 Tepai Moeroa
9 Aaron Teroi
19 Pride Petterson-Robati
11 Dominique Peyroux
23 Reuben Porter
13 Zane Tetevano
6 Brad Takairangi
8 Makahesi Makatoa
17 Rua Ngatikaura
20 Davvy Moale
18Moses Noovao-McGreal
Wales v Cook Islands Pre Match Stats
Wales have lost their past three games to Pacific nations (no Australia or NZ) – but prior to that had won six straight.
Wales v Cook Islands Preview
An interesting clash, and as above this is both team’s best chance to win a game in the group stages. Wales have lost six straight games at the World Cup, the Cook Islands can go one better from their last six, and happily for them that was against Wales.
Cook Islands looked OK in the Pacific Test earlier in the season, losing out when the NRL-heavy Samoa overpowered them, but Wales has fewer NRL stars and the Pacific nation should be right in this game.
The Cook Islands have some NRL or ex NRL talent, while the Welsh side relies mainly on UK based players.
It’s a real flip of the coin this one.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Dylan Napa, who plays for Catalans in the Super League these days is a big name for the Cook islands in this RLWC, and should provide plenty of forward momentum.
As for Wales, the name we could most recognise was Caleb Aitkens, the former Panthers and Raiders player was part of the promotion clinching Leigh to the Super League.
PREDICTION
Cook Islands 28 Wales 10
