Cook Islands and Tonga Women to maintain momentum in Sydney

Cook Islands and Tonga Women’s teams may have missed a place at IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 but the Pacific nations are determined to maintain momentum with a senior international in Sydney on Saturday, October 10.

The Vaine Moana lost to Fiji while Tonga were beaten by Samoa in World Cup qualifiers in Fiji in 2024 and with the annual Pacific Championships paused due to RLWC26 they will meet in a stand-alone fixture at St Marys Leagues Stadium (kick off 4pm AEST).

The two teams last met in the 2025 Pacific Bowl, with the Moana winning 42-24 at the National Stadium in Port Moresby to secure the first trophy won by Cook Islands in an elite sporting competition.

Cook Islands Rugby League President Charles Carlson said the match against Tonga was a step in  the Moana’s campaign to qualify for the next World Cup in 2030.

“This fixture provides an important opportunity for our Vaine Moana to play meaningful international rugby league after missing out on the 2026 Rugby League World Cup,” he said.

“It is critically important that we maintain this level of competition, keep our players and programmes engaged, and continue providing genuine international opportunities.

“Looking ahead, this match will help maintain momentum, strengthen our respective programmes and keep our players competing at international level. It is an important step in our longer-term preparation and pathway towards the 2030 Rugby League World Cup.”

Tonga Rugby League Secretary General Tavake Fangupo said the match represented a commitment to the continued growth and development of women’s rugby league across the Pacific and to providing players with meaningful opportunities to represent their countries at the highest level.

“While Tonga and the Cook Islands did not qualify for this year’s Rugby League World Cup, we believe it is important that our Pacific women’s teams and players continue to have regular international fixtures,” he said.

“Our players deserve the opportunity to wear their national jersey with pride, gain valuable international experience and continue developing towards the highest levels of the game, including pathways into the NRLW.

“We are particularly proud that this match has been made possible through the commitment of both organisations to self-fund an international fixture. It allows players from Tonga and the Cook Islands, including those already playing in the NRLW and those working hard to reach that level, to continue representing their countries on the international stage.

“We want to create stronger pathways for all Pacific women and girls playing rugby league, particularly those playing in our Pacific nations, and help grow the game within our own communities.

“Providing regular international opportunities is an important part of keeping our programmes active, maintaining interest and inspiring the next generation of girls to play rugby league.”

Fangupo said that Tonga also had an eye on the next World Cup and the match against Cook Islands would help prepare the team and players for the RLWC30 qualifying process.

“Looking ahead to 2027 and beyond, annual international fixtures such as this will help Pacific women teams and players continue to build towards the Pacific Championships and prepare for the Rugby League World Cup qualifying pathway in 2028,” he said.

“On behalf of Tonga Rugby XIII, we are proud to support this fixture and proud to see Tonga and Cook Islands women leading the way for the continued growth of women’s rugby league in the Pacific. We hope this is the beginning of many more international opportunities for our Pacific women.”

Tickets are available at the gate for $10 (16+ years) or $5 (pensioners and children 12-to-15 years).