Fiji vs Cook Islands Tips, Predictions and Tryscorers - 2026 Rugby League World Cup

Ryan Tucker

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Fact Checked by Jeremy Darke

Last updated: Tue. 13 Oct. 2026 14:33

Ryan Tucker 1 hour ago

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Fiji are heavily favoured to cover the -16.5 line against the injury-hit Cook Islands.
Key Fiji players like captain Api Koroisau return, while Cook Islands miss multiple stars.
Bayleigh Bentley-Hape is recommended as a top anytime tryscorer in the match.

Fiji vs Cook Islands Expert Predictions

Fiji are big favourites and will cover in their 2026 Rugby League World Cup opener against Cook Islands on Sunday afternoon in Newcastle.

Fiji vs Cook Islands Expert Predictions
Head to Head
Fiji Team Form
Cook Islands Team Form
Fiji vs Cook Islands Team Lists

These two teams met most recently in the Pacific Bowl in 2025 with Fiji winning 44-24. Both teams have some personel changes since then with injuries playing their part. Most importantly Fiji get captain Api Koroisau back on the park with Jacob Saifiti in the front row. The Bati though will be without Jahream Bula who scored 4 tries in the that 20 point Pacific Bowl win last year.

Cook Islands have themselves a bunch of players on the sidelines including Val Holmes, Brendan Piakura and Marata Niukore, with no notable additions, this team is notably weaker than the previous time they ran out.

The -16.5 line is extremely sharp with the likely outcome being around that number, with weather expected to be sunny and 21 degrees on Sunday in Newcastle, the likelihood of the Cook Islands tiring late, as they have done in many previous matchups is high. Take Fiji Bati line to exploit that weakness.

Opposition fullbacks have scored 5 tries in the last 2 games against Cook Islands. Lock in Bayleigh Bentley-Hape for a four pointer in this matchup.

Both teams are affected by injuries since last time they played, Cook Islands objectively moreso.
Api Koroisau returns as captain for Fiji after missing last year's Pacific Championships
Fiji have won 3 straight against Cook Islands, the last two by 10 pts and 50 pts
Opposing fullbacks have scored 5 tries in 2 games against Cook Islands.

Head to Head

These teams played out a 44-24 Fiji win in the Pacific Bowl in Port Moresby in October last year. 5 total tries were scored in the final 20 minutes of that matchup. The previous meeting in 2024 finished 56-6 in favour of Fiji.

Fiji Team Form

Fiji will be without rampaging fullback Jahream Bula who is out injured but get Api Koroisau and Jacob Saifiti back in the forward pack, Koroisau's delivery from dummy half as well as game management will greatly improve Fiji's outlook in the tournament.

The Bati have consistently beaten Cook Islands but have struggled to win against better opponents. At the previous World Cup Fiji beat Scotland and Italy in the group stage but losing to Australia. They were then beaten in the knockout stage by New Zealand.

Cook Islands Team Form

The Cook Islands will be without Val Holmes and Marata Niukore in this first matchup but are expected to see them on the park during the World Cup. Their team is objectively weaker than during last year's Pacific Championships where they finished 0-2.

The major hurdle for this team will be playing for the entire 80 minutes each match. Many of these players haven't played a competitive game in a number of weeks which will severly affect match fitness.

Fiji vs Cook Islands Team Lists

Fiji	No.	Cook Islands
Bayleigh Bentley-Hape	1	Esom Ioka
Sunia Turuva	2	Paul Ulberg
Waqa Blake	3	KL Iro
Solomone Saukuru	4	Reubenn Rennie
Semi Valemei	5	Cameron Brown
Kurt Donoghoe	6	Maui Winitana-Patelesio
Brandon Wakeham	7	Esan Marsters
Jacob Saifiti	8	Davvy Moale
Apisai Koroisau	9	Mason Teague
Mitchell Prest	10	Makahesi Makatoa
Taane Milne	11	Delahia Wigmore
Kitione Kautoga	12	Reuben Porter
Caleb Navale	13	Pride Petterson-Robati
Josese Lanyon	14	Rua Ngatikaura
Emosi Ravosai	15	K-CI Newton-Whare
Elijah Keung	16	Rhys Dakin
Ronald Philitoga	17	Brad Takairangi
Apenisa Driti	18	Glassie Glassie
Jordin Leiu	19	Chaev Kolone
Joseph Litidamu	20	Brody Tamarua
Zion Johnson	21	David Tuariki
Kylan Mafoa	22	—

Verdict

Fiji v Cook Islands

Fiji to win and cover the large line while going over their Team Total. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape is the best option for anytime tryscorer.

Fiji -16.5

Line

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Fiji over 34.5

Team Total

$1.80 - 2 Units

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