Cook Island Rugby League Team Connects with Culture Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
Queensland Origin star Val Holmes joined the Cook Islands team on a cultural trip to Rarotonga as part of their preparation for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa. The visit helped the players reconnect with their heritage before one of the most important matches in recent years.
According to NRL Senior Reporter Brad Walter, Holmes is recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his NRL season early. He has also promised to represent the Cook Islands should they secure the remaining spot at the RLWC26, set to take place at CommBank Stadium.
“The former Kangaroos back, whose mother Lucy was born in the Cook Islands, trained with his future international teammates as he helped Hunt and Alex Glenn prepare the Aitu for their biggest game in six years.”
The winner of the RLWC26 qualifier will join established teams such as Australia, New Zealand, England, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Lebanon, and France at the upcoming World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
The Aitu squad gains additional strength for the qualifier with the inclusion of Warriors forward Marata Niukore and Rabbitohs prop Davvy Moale, both of whom missed the Pacific Championships before joining the Rarotonga camp.
Author's Summary
Val Holmes led the Cook Islands’ cultural reconnection trip before the World Cup qualifier, underscoring their unity and determination to secure a place at RLWC26.