New Zealand face the Cook Islands in their second Pool A fixture of the 2026 IRL Men’s Rugby League World Cup on Sunday at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch, with kick-off at 4:05pm local time.

New Zealand suffered a narrow 24-22 defeat to Australia in their opening match last Thursday in Sydney, despite a brace from Kalyn Ponga and a try from Casey McLean in front of a crowd of 41,000.

The Kiwis will be looking to get their campaign back on track and claim their first win of the tournament. Keano Kini comes into the side at full-back, while Xavier Willison starts in the back row and Erin Clark moves into the loose-forward role.

The Cook Islands also suffered defeat in their opening group game, going down to Fiji, and have made several changes to their starting XIII for Sunday's clash. Valentine Holmes comes in at full-back, with Bradley Takairangi named at half-back. New Wakefield Trinity signing Mason Teague moves to loose-forward, allowing Ruatapu Ngatikaura to come into the side at hooker.

New Zealand (squad): Keano KINI, Jamayne ISAAKO, Charnze NICOLL-KLOKSTAD, Casey MCLEAN, Ronaldo MULITALO, Kodi NIKORIMA, Jahrome HUGHES, James FISHER HARRIS, Jeremy MARSHALL-KING, Joseph TAPINE, Xavier WILLISON, Scott SORENSEN, Erin CLARK, Te Maire MARTIN, Leo THOMPSON, Tanner STOWERS-SMITH, Jacob LABAN, Isaiah PAPALI'I, Briton NIKORA, Dane GAGAI, Naufahu WHYTE, Moses LEOTA

Cook Islands (squad): Valentine HOLMES, Paul ULBERG, Kayal IRO, Reubenn RENNIE, Cameron BROWN, Maui WINITANA-PATELESIO, Bradley TAKAIRANGI, Davvy MOALE, Rua NGATIKAURA, Rhys DAKIN, Amare Lese MILFORD, Del (Delahia) WIGMORE, Mason TEAGUE, Esan MARSTERS, K-Ci NEWTON-WHARE, David Tuariki, Makahesi MAKATOA, Chaev KOLONE, Glassie GLASSIE, Brody TAMARUA, Esom IOKA, Pride PETTERSON-ROBATI