By Josh Graham

COOK ISLANDS

Nine years after their last appearance at the Rugby League World Cup, coach Tony Iro is hoping to take The Cook Islands out of the group stage for the very first time.

The Kukis can take confidence from that campaign in 2013 where they beat this year’s first opponents Wales.

With a population just shy of 18,000, The Cook Islands are often underdogs but with a squad boasting plenty of NRL talent plus the likes of Catalans Dragons’ Dylan Napa, Toulouse’s Dominique Peyroux and Leeds Rhinos’ Zane Tetevano, who all starred in Super League this year, they should not be underestimated.

In their third World Cup, Hull KR centre Brad Takairangi will lead the side whose last international fixture was a 42-12 defeat to Samoa earlier this year.

Wednesday, October 19, Wales vs Cook Islands, Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, 7.30pm

Tuesday, October 25, Papua New Guinea vs Cook Islands, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, 7.30pm

Sunday, October 30, Tonga vs Cook Islands, Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, 2.30pm

Most points in a World Cup match: Chris Taripo (16) vs Tonga, 2013

Most goals in a World Cup match: Chris Taripo (4) vs Wales, 2013

Most tries in a World Cup match: Chris Taripo (3) vs Tonga, 2013

Record World Cup points scored: 28-24 vs Wales, 2013

Record World Cup points conceded: 10-84 vs New Zealand, 2000

Previous record

2000: Fourth in Group 2 (eliminated), 2013: Second in Group D (eliminated)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The only country in the world to have rugby league as its national sport, Papua New Guinea are never short of passion on the sport’s biggest stage.

Captain Rhyse Martin is representing his late father’s heritage after he passed away at the beginning of the year and the back-rower will provide prolific goal-kicking, he set a new domestic record of 38 successful shots at goal with Leeds Rhinos this term.

The Kumuls are also blessed with South Sydney Rabbitohs full-back Alex Johnston who has previously represented Australia and Melbourne Storm flyer Xavier Coates.

Coates’ Storm teammate Justin Olam, voted the NRL’s best centre in 2021, is also on board but they will have to do without former skipper David Mead who retired from the sport in July.

Coach Stanley Tepend saw many of his stars in action in a recent fixture against the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII and will be hoping to steer PNG to their first ever semi-final appearance.

Tuesday, October 18, Tonga vs Papua New Guinea, Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, 7.30pm

Tuesday, October 25, Papua New Guinea vs Cook Islands, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, 7.30pm

Monday, October 31, Papua New Guinea vs Wales, Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster, 7.30pm

Most points in a World Cup match Rhyse Martin (20) vs USA, 2017

Most goals in a World Cup match: Rhyse Martin (10) vs USA, 2017

Most tries in a World Cup match: Justin Olam (3) vs USA, 2017/David Mead (3) vs Wales, 2017

Record World Cup points scored: 64-0 vs USA, 2017

Record World Cup points conceded: 8-70 vs Australia, 1988

Previous record

1985-88: Fourth in group, 1989-92: Fifth in group, 1995: Third in group B (eliminated), 2000: Quarter-finalist (lost 8-22 to Wales), 2008: Fourth in group A (eliminated), 2013: Fourth in group B (eliminated), 2017: Quarter-finalist (lost 6-36 to England) 

WALES

Incredibly Elliot Kear is set to be the third student from his year at Whitchurch High School to captain their country at a World Cup after Sam Warburton led Wales in rugby union with Gareth Bale set to skipper the nation’s football side in Qatar.

Kear spent 12 years as a professional before going part-time at Bradford Bulls to pursue a career in the fire-service and will combine with coach John Kear – no relation – as Wales bid to return to the glory days of old.

After making the semi-finals in 1995 and 2000, the Dragons have not progressed past the group stage since the turn of the century but possess a potent weapon in Salford’s Rhys Williams, the nation’s most prolific try scorer.

Wales lost 34-10 to France earlier this year in their first international since 2018 and were also on the wrong end of a 38-22 scoreline against Lebanon in their final warm-up fixture.

Wednesday, October 19, Wales vs Cook Islands, Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, 7.30pm

Monday, October 24, Tonga vs Wales, Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, 7.30pm

Monday, October 31, Papua New Guinea vs Wales, Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster, 7.30pm

Most points in a World Cup match Iestyn Harris (14) vs Cook Islands, 2000

Most goals in a World Cup match: Iestyn Harris (7) vs Cook Islands, 2000

Most tries in a World Cup match: Kris Tassell (3) vs Cook Islands, 2000/Anthony Sullivan (3) vs France, 1995

Record World Cup points scored: 38-6 vs Cook Islands, 2000

Record World Cup points conceded: 6-72 vs Fiji, 2017

Previous record

1975: Third in group, 1995: Semi-finalist (lost 10-25 to England), 2000: Semi-finalist (lost 22-46 to Australia), 2013: Third in group D (eliminated), 2017: Third in group C (eliminated)

TONGA

The surprise package at the last World Cup after making the semi-finals where they lost by just two points to England, Tonga are on everyone’s radar this time around.

Jason Taumalolo started the trend of players representing their heritage when he famously turned down New Zealand in 2017 but Tonga’s talismanic skipper will miss the opening two pool matches through suspension.

However, they have an excellent stand-in in the form of Catalans Dragons-bound prop Siosiua Taukeaiho.

Gold Coast Titans star David Fifita is certainly one to watch having scored a hat-trick in the warm-up game against France.

Coach Kristian Woolf is coming off the back of his third Super League triumph with St Helens and will be hoping for a return to Old Trafford before he returns down under to join new NRL side the Dolphins as assistant coach.

Tuesday, October 18, Tonga vs Papua New Guinea, Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, 7.30pm

Monday, October 24, Tonga vs Wales, Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, 7.30pm

Sunday, October 30, Tonga vs Cook Islands, Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, 2.30pm

Most points in a World Cup match Tony Williams (18) vs Scotland, 2008

Most goals in a World Cup match: Tony Williams (7) vs Scotland, 2008

Most tries in a World Cup match: David Fusitu'a (3) vs New Zealand, 2017/Michael Jennings (3) vs Scotland, 2017

Record World Cup points scored: 66-18 vs South Africa, 2000

Record World Cup points conceded: 22-30 vs Papua New Guinea, 2000

Previous record

1995: Second group B (eliminated), 2000: Third group 3 (eliminated), 2008: Seventh (defeated Scotland 48-0 in play-off), 2013: Second group C (eliminated), 2017: Semi-finalist (lost 18-20 to England)

The Rugby League World Cup promises to be the biggest, best and most inclusive event in the sport’s 127-year history with men’s, women’s and wheelchair teams competing in 61 games across 21 venues throughout England. Tickets are available via rlwc2021.com/tickets