Australia thrash Cook Islands 66-6 to reach Rugby League World Cup semi-finals

Australia finished the group stage of the Rugby League World Cup in style on Saturday, beating the Cook Islands 66-6 in Townsville. The defending champions ran in 12 tries to one at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, in front of 19,172 fans.

The Cook Islands made a brave start. Jack Bostock opened the scoring for Australia after just two minutes, but the Cook Islands hit back through Rua Ngatikaura and led 6-4 after 10 minutes. Australia then scored four tries in 13 minutes to take a 28-6 lead into half-time, and added six more tries in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Wingers Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic both scored hat-tricks, while Tino Fa’asuamaleaui crossed twice. Fullback Reece Walsh was the star creator, setting up five tries, and halfback Tom Dearden also impressed as Australia completed an unbeaten run through the group stage and finished top of Pool A.

Why it matters

The win was a big improvement on Australia’s scratchy performance against Fiji the week before, and it sends the tournament favourites into the semi-finals with momentum. But coach Kevin Walters and captain Isaah Yeo both said the team’s best football is still to come, and the Cook Islands showed in the first 20 minutes that the champions can be caught cold.

Cook Islands captain KL Iro tipped New Zealand as the team to beat, saying: “I think you can’t go past New Zealand.” He predicted the final would be between New Zealand and Australia, after his side bowed out of the tournament.

What happens next

Australia now head to a sudden-death semi-final at Allianz Stadium in Sydney next Sunday. Forward Cameron Murray, who missed the Cook Islands match with calf soreness, is expected to be fit, and Walsh’s left ankle was iced after the game but he said there was no fitness concern. Youngster Ethan Strange made his debut off the bench in Townsville.

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Sources

• https://www.nrl.com/news/2026/10/31/kangaroos-enjoy-semi-final-tuneup-with-big-win-over-cook-islands/ (NRL.com, 31 October 2026)
• https://www.nrl.com/news/2026/11/01/iro-tips-kiwis-to-win-world-cup-as-aitu-bow-out-with-loss-to-kangaroos/ (NRL.com, 31 October 2026)
• https://leagueunlimited.com/news/44929-australia-m-v-cook-islands-m-report/ (League Unlimited, 31 October 2026)
• https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/rugby-league-world-cup-live-australia-kangaroos-vs-cook-islands-blog-updates-match-centre-where-to-watch-cameron-murray-injury-news-videos-highlights/news-story/b6f0a898e2bdcc82060f9e1b621bdd09 (Fox Sports, 31 October 2026)