Cook Islands women's national rugby league team

The Cook Islands women's national rugby league team, also known as the Cook Islands Moana represents Cook Islands in Women's rugby league. The Cook Islands have competed in three Women's Rugby League World Cup tournaments.

In 2003, the Cook Islands played six matches, for two wins (both over Tokelau), a draw (with Great Britain), and three losses. In 2017 the Cook Islands lost their first two matches by large margins, before registering a surprise win over England in their third and last match. The Cook Islands participated in the 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup which, after a delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was played in November 2022. Again, the Cook Islands lost their first two matches before winning their third and last match, on this occasion beating France women's national rugby league team.

The Cook Islands had prequalified for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup. The withdrawal of intended hosts France, in August 2023, prompted a review by the governing body, which resulted in a reduction in the number of teams, from sixteen to eight. The number of pre-qualified teams was also reduced from eight to four, impacting the Cook Islands. Consequently, the Cook Islands will now need to qualify for the next World Cup, which was pushed back to 2026.

History Cook Islands women's teams participated in the mid 1990s Oceania Cup tournaments in New Zealand. After appearing in the 1996 Oceania Cup, there was a gap in participation by Moana teams for several years until a revival in 2002 ahead of the 2003 World Cup. Invitational games were played against Maori and Niue teams. The squad for 2003 tournament were selected from New Zealand clubs.

Cook Islands first World Cup appearance was at the 2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup. After a loss by a large margin in their opening fixture against New Zealand, Cook Islands won their second game against Tokelau. Fresh off byes in the last round of the first phase, and first round of the second phase, the Cook Islands held Great Britain to a 20-all draw.

Cook Islands qualified for the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup by default after Fiji, Samoa and Tonga withdrew from the Pacific qualifying tournament due to a lack of players. After losses by large margins to New Zealand and Australia, the Cook Islands team had an upset victory over England.

Head to head records Opponent Win% Share 3 0 0 3 0.00% 4 178 2.20% Tokelau 2 2 0 0 100.00% 48 28 63.16% 1 0 1 0 50.00% 20 20 50.00% Māori 1 0 0 1 0.00% 0 46 0.00% 1 0 0 1 0.00% 18 28 39.13% 2 0 0 2 0.00% 4 132 2.94% 1 1 0 0 100.00% 22 16 57.89% 1 1 0 0 100.00% 26 18 59.09% 2 1 0 1 50.00% 54 34 61.36% 1 0 0 1 0.00% 6 18 25.00% 1 1 0 0 100.00% 42 24 63.64% Totals 16 6 1 9 40.63% 244 542 31.04% Note: Table last updated 26 October 2025. Share is the portion of "For" points compared to the sum of "For" and "Against" points.

Current squad The Moana squad for the 10 October 2026 match against Tonga was announced on social media on 6 October 2026.

J# Player Age Position(s) Moana Club NRLW Other Reps Pts Pts 0 0 0 0 0 Hawks 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 0 0 0 0 Warriors 0 2 0 0 0 0 23 2022 5 1 0 0 4 Magpies 0 11 1 0 0 4 32 0 0 0 0 0 Cowboys 9 9 3 0 0 12 19 0 0 0 0 0 Knights 0 0 0 0 0 0 2023 3 0 0 0 0 Marlins 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 2025 1 0 0 0 0 Titans 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 2022 7 4 3 0 22 0 20 2 0 0 8 4 34 2017 8 1 0 0 4 Eels 2 15 9 0 0 36 2 1 3 27 2017 7 0 0 0 0 Cowboys 8 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 0 0 Bulldogs 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 2025 1 1 0 0 4 Bears 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 2023 3 4 0 0 16 Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0 2025 2 0 0 0 0 Jets 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 2025 1 0 0 0 0 Tigers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Devils 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 0 0 Bulldogs 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 2024 1 0 0 0 0 Magpies 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 Notes The shading in the Clubs column of the above table indicates players selected from teams outside the 2026 NRLW. QRL BMD WP Brisbane Tigers (1): Porche John Burleigh Bears (1): Memory Paitai Ipswich Jets (1): Pearl Tuitama Norths Devils (1): Roimata Amosa-Tiro Souths Logan Magpies (2): April Ngatupuna, Tyler Birch NSW HNWP Canterbury Bulldogs (2): Matoisha Kalepo, Tiare-Anne Leauga Newcastle Knights (1): Ava Glassie Auckland Rugby League Mangere East Hawks (1): Akeliana-Faith Leauga Manurewa Marlins (1): Jodeci Joseph Richmond Rovers (3): Maeva Atatoa Carr, Maruia Willie, Paulina Morris-Ponga (Ponga-Pierre)

Results Full internationals Date Opponent Score Tournament Venue Video Report(s) 28 Sep 2003 2003 World Cup North Harbour Stadium 30 Sep 2003 Tokelau 6 Oct 2003 8 Oct 2003 Māori 10 Oct 2003 Tokelau 12 Oct 2003 16 Nov 2017 2017 World Cup Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney 19 Nov 2017 22 Nov 2017 2 Nov 2022 2021 World Cup York Community Stadium, York 6 Nov 2022 10 Nov 2022 22 Oct 2023 2023 Pacific Championship Santos Stadium, Port Moresby 26 Oct 2024 2024 Pacific Championship HFC Bank Stadium, Suva 18 Oct 2025 2025 Pacific Championship Santos Stadium, Port Moresby 25 Oct 2025

Other matches Date Opponent Score Tournament Venue Video Report(s) 27 Oct 2022 England Knights Warm-Up Trial Match Weetwood, Leeds

Nines Date Opponent Score Tournament Venue Video Report(s) 23 Feb 2018 2018 Commonwealth Championship Dolphin Stadium, Brisbane 23 Feb 2018 24 Feb 2018 24 Feb 2018 8 Jul 2019 2019 Pacific Games Apia Park 8 Jul 2019 9 Jul 2019 9 Jul 2019 20 Nov 2023 2023 Pacific Games National Stadium, Honiara 20 Nov 2023 20 Nov 2023 21 Nov 2023 21 Nov 2023 22 Nov 2023

Upcoming fixtures The International Rugby League has posted details of the following fixture: at St Mary's Leagues Club Stadium in Sydney, Australia on Saturday, 10 October 2026. Kick off at 4:00 PM (AEDT)2026-10-10 Cook Islands v Tonga

Records Margins and streaks Biggest winning margins

Margin Score Opponent Venue Date 28 346 Santos National Football Stadium 18 Oct 2025 18 4224 Santos National Football Stadium 25 Oct 2025 14 3016 North Harbour Stadium 30 Sep 2003 8 2618 LNER Community Stadium 10 Nov 2022 Biggest losing margins

Margin Score Opponent Venue Date 76 076 Southern Cross Group Stadium 19 Nov 2017 74 074 LNER Community Stadium 2 Nov 2022 68 068 North Harbour Stadium 28 Sep 2003 54 458 Southern Cross Group Stadium 16 Nov 2017 30 434 LNER Community Stadium 6 Nov 2022

Most consecutive wins

Matches First win Last win Days Ended Days 2 18 Oct 2025 25 Oct 2025 Current Most consecutive losses

Matches First loss Last loss Days Ended Days 3 12 Oct 2003 19 Nov 2017 22 Nov 2017

Past squads

2017 Squad for the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup:

Toka Natua (Tokoroa, NZ) Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (Counties-Manukau, NZ) Te Amohaere Ngat-Aerengamate (Counties-Manukau, NZ) Crystal George Tamarua (Auckland, NZ) Danielle Apaiana (Auckland, NZ) Stephanie Wilson (Sydney, Australia) Eliza Wilson (Auckland, NZ) Josina Singapu (Gold Coast, Australia) Karol Tanevesi (Sydney, Australia) Samaria Taia (Sydney, Australia) Natalee Tagavaitau (Auckland, NZ) Kaylen Ikitule (Auckland, NZ) Kiana Takairangi (Sydney, Australia) Chantelle Inangaro Schofield (Cook Islands) Beniamina Koiatu (Auckland, NZ) Inangaro Maraeara (Sydney, Australia) Manea Poa-Maoate (Wellington, NZ) Lydia Turua-Quedley (Melbourne, Australia) Ruahei Demant (Auckland, NZ) Cecelia Strickland (Perth, Australia) Urshla Kere (Brisbane, Australia) Kiritapu Demant (Auckland, NZ) Katelyn Arona (Christchurch, NZ)

2003 Squad for the 2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup:

Charmaine Angareu (Mangere East) Deborah Apaina (Ponsonby) Marry-Anne Aukino (Papakura) Rangi Aukino (Randwick) Justine Cook (Ponsonby) Sarah Cook (Ponsonby) Debbie Dorman (Ponsonby) Michelle Driscoll (Richmond) Tracey Larkin (Ponsonby) Elizabeth Mani (Mt Wellington) Caroline Marsters (Mt Wellington) Kelly Marsters (Te Atatu) Joyce Otikore-Joseph (Otara) Nora Pange (Mangere East) Api Parai (Te Atatu) Hilda Peters (Papakura) Karen Thorn (Ponsonby) Amiria Tikinau (Otahuhu) Mary Tuarae (Richmond) Tutai-Stephanie Utanga (Mt Wellington) Theresa Vaiula (Ponsonby) Teremoana Vano (Ponsonby) Teresa Wilson (Hillcrest) Tupou Wilson (Hillcrest)

Cook Islands women's national rugby league team

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