Kiwis chase first World Cup win against Cook Islands
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- New Zealand play the Cook Islands in Christchurch on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
- Kickoff is 6:05 in the evening local time (10:05 in the morning PKT).
- Both teams lost their opening games, so both need a win today.
New Zealand play the Cook Islands today in the Rugby League World Cup. The game is a group game at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch. Kickoff is 6:05 in the evening local time.
That is 10:05 in the morning PKT. It is 4:05 in the afternoon Sydney time. Fans in Australia can watch on Seven and 7plus.
Both teams need this win. New Zealand lost their first game 24-22 to Australia. The Cook Islands lost their first game 40-12 to Fiji.
A win today keeps the road to the semifinals open. A loss makes that road much harder. That is why this game matters so much.
What happened
New Zealand opened their World Cup with a close loss. Australia beat them 24-22 in the first game. It was a hard loss to take.
Star fullback Kalyn Ponga scored two tries in that game. He then left the field with an arm injury. He is out of the team today.
Coach Stacey Jones has made six changes to the team. Keano Kini moves to fullback in place of Ponga. Kini gets his big chance at the back.
The Cook Islands also need a fresh start. Fiji beat them 40-12 in Newcastle in their first game. They will want a much better show today.
Today is also part of a double header in Christchurch. The Kiwi Ferns play France first at 4 in the afternoon local time. The Kiwis then take the field for the main game.
Why it matters
The World Cup group stage leaves little room for error. Each team plays a small number of group games. Two losses in a row can end a campaign fast.
New Zealand know this well. They are one of the top teams in the world. But a second loss would put them under real pressure.
The Cook Islands face the same test. They play Australia in their next game. A win today would give them belief for that huge test.
New Zealand play Fiji in their next game. That game now looks even bigger. A win today sets it up well.
For weekend sport fans, our Taipans vs Breakers preview covers a milestone game today. That game also turns on one star player.
Team news for New Zealand
James Fisher-Harris leads the team as captain. He plays in the front row for the Kiwis. Joseph Tapine joins him in the front row.
Jahrome Hughes plays at halfback. Kodi Nikorima plays at five-eighth next to him. The pair must steer the team around the field.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad starts in the centres. He takes the place of Dane Gagai. Gagai moves to the bench group.
Scott Sorensen and Xavier Willison start in the second row. Erin Clark starts at lock. Jeremy Marshall-King starts at hooker.
Two young forwards make their Test debuts from the bench. Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith both play for the Warriors. Both have had strong club seasons.
Stowers-Smith has a special link to Christchurch. He was born and raised in the city. His great-grandfather Pat Smith played 36 games for the Kiwis.
The CNK story
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has the best story of the day. He first played Test rugby league for the Cook Islands. He made his debut for them in 2015.
He played three Tests for the Cook Islands in total. He then went on to play for New Zealand. He has now played 16 Tests for the Kiwis.
Today he plays against the team he first served. He told the NRL site that the game means a lot to his family. His mother comes from the Cook Islands.
"I love both my nations," he said. He said his mum and his nan will be very proud. He will wear the black and white Kiwis jersey today.
It is a rare story in sport. Few players face their first nation at a World Cup. That alone makes this game worth watching.
Team news for the Cook Islands
Valentine Holmes starts at fullback for the Cook Islands. He is one of the most known names in their team. He brings calm and skill at the back.
KL Iro starts in the centres. He plays club rugby league for Cronulla. He will test the Kiwis out wide all game.
Anthony Milford starts in the second row. He is a known playmaker with a big kicking game. Brad Takairangi starts at halfback for the side.
Rhys Dakin starts at prop. Davvy Moale joins him in the front row. Karmichael Hunt coaches the team.
The Cook Islands made many changes too. Holmes, Dakin, and Milford all come into the side. They add size and skill to the team.
Ashley Klein referees the game. He is a known Test referee. The video referee is Wyatt Raymond.
What to watch
Watch the start of the game closely. Both teams will want a fast start. The team that scores first gains belief.
Watch Keano Kini at fullback. He replaces a star player in a huge game. His runs from the back can spark the Kiwis.
Watch Nicoll-Klokstad in the centres. He plays with extra feeling today. He knows the Cook Islands players well.
Watch the Cook Islands forwards early. They must match the Kiwis in the middle. If they hold firm, the game stays close.
Watch the bench impact late in the game. Laban and Stowers-Smith bring fresh legs. Fresh forwards can change a close game.
For more weekend previews, our Warriors vs Suns preview shows how missing stars change games. Our Sydney FC vs Adelaide preview covers another Sunday clash.
What happens next
The winner takes a big step forward today. The loser faces a must-win game next. There is no easy game left in this group.
New Zealand play Fiji next. The Cook Islands play Australia next. Both games will be tough tests.
The full-time score will shape the group table. Fans will then know what each team needs. The final group games will decide the semifinalists.
For now, all eyes turn to Christchurch. A packed new stadium waits for two proud teams. One team will leave with a first World Cup win.
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