By Richard Cowley, Updated :10/10/13
The Cook Islands have named their 24 man squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. Alex Glenn who is also in the Kiwis train-on squad could stick with the Kiwis if he makes the final 24 for New Zealand.
The Cook Islands will draw inspiration from their 2009 performance when they knocked over Samoa to qualify for the Pacific Cup. Then the Cooks went on to defeat 2008 RLWC semi finals Fiji to qualify for the Pacific Cup final.
Cook Islands are in Group D of the World Cup along with hosts Wales and newcomers The United States. The Cook Islands will also play a cross Group match against Tonga.
Only one team from Group D will advance through to the quarter finals.
Cook Islands 2013 RLWC Squad
Tinirau Arona (Syndey Roosters), Sam Brunton (Mounties Bundy), Daniel Fepuleai (North Sydney Bears), Jonathon Ford (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Anthony Gelling (Wigan Warriors), Isaac John (Penrith Panthers), Drury Low (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Keith Lulia (Bradford Bulls), Lulia Lulia (Shell Harbour), Hikule’o Malu (New Zealand Warriors), Sam Mataora (Canberra Raiders), Joseph Matapuku (North Sydney Bears), Dylan Napa (Sydney Roosters), Dominique Peyroux (New Zealand Warriors), Rea Pittman (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders), Tupou Sopoaga (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Zeb Taia (Catalan Dragons), Brad Takairangi (Gold Coast Titans), Adam Tangata (Mounties Bundy), Chris Taripo (Sydney Roosters), Zane Tetavano (Newcastle Knights), Tyrone Viiga (Parramatta Eels)
Head coach: David Fairleigh
Cook Islands World Cup Schedule
Week 1 Oct 30th (Wednesday), Cook Islands v USA, Location – The Memorial Stadium, Bristol, England
Week 2: Nov 5th (Tuesday), Tonga v Cook Islands, Location – Leigh Sports Village, England
Week 3: Nov 10th (Sunday), Wales v Cook Islands, Location – The Gnoll, Neath, Wales
