Cook Islands women's national rugby league team

Last updated

Cook Islands
Team information
NicknameThe Moana
Governing body Cook Islands Rugby League Association
Region Asia-Pacific
Head coach Ronald Griffiths
Home stadiumAvarua National Stadium
IRL ranking 9 Increase2.svg 1 (21 July 2025) [1]
Uniforms
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm yellow hoops.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Team results
First international
Flag of the Cook Islands.svg Cook Islands 0-68 New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg
(North Harbour Stadium, Albany, New Zealand)
28 September 2003
Biggest win
Flag of the Cook Islands.svg Cook Islands 34-6 Papua New GuineaFlag of Papua New Guinea.svg
(PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby)
18 October 2023
Biggest defeat
Flag of the Cook Islands.svg Cook Islands 0–76 New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg
(Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney)
19 November 2017
World Cup
Appearances2 (first time in 2003 )
Best resultRound Robin,2017

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.

Contents

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. [2] [3] 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. [4] 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. [5]

Cook Islands first World Cup appearance was at the 2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup. [6] 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. [7]

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. [8] After losses by large margins to New Zealand and Australia, the Cook Islands team had an upset victory over England.

Head to head records

OpponentFMMRMWDLWin%PFPAShare
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 2003202230030.00%41782.20%
Flag of Tokelau.svg Tokelau 200320032200100.00%482863.16%
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 20032003101050.00%202050.00%
Tino Rangatiratanga Maori sovereignty movement flag.svg Māori 2003200310010.00%0460.00%
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 2003200310010.00%182839.13%
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 2017202220020.00%41322.94%
Flag of England.svg  England 201720171100100.00%221657.89%
Flag of France.svg  France 202220221100100.00%261859.09%
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 20232025210150.00%543461.36%
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 2024202410010.00%61825.00%
Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 202520251100100.00%422463.64%
Totals200320251661940.63%24454231.04%

Note:

Current squad

The Moana squad for the 2025 Pacific Championships was announced on social media on 7 October 2025. [9]

Jersey numbers in the table reflect selections for the Round 2 match versus Tonga

Tallies in the table reflect the match versus Tonga on 25 October 2025.

J#PlayerAgePosition(s)MoanaClubNRLWOther Reps
DbtMTGFPtsCMTMTGFPts
1 Kiana Takairangi 33 Fullback , Centre 201781004 Parramatta colours.svg Eels 21590036Flag of New Zealand.svg 2 Tino Rangatiratanga Maori sovereignty movement flag.svg 1 City colours.svg 3
2Kiarah Siauane20 Wing , Centre 202432008 Western Suburbs colours.svg Magpies 000000—
3Keira Rangi18 Centre , Second-row 202510000 Western Suburbs colours.svg Magpies 000000—
4Deleni Paitai18 Centre 202521004 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Bears 000000—
5Paulina Morris-Ponga— Wing , Centre 2023340016 Hemelcolours.png Lions 000000—
6Lydia Turua-Quedley26 Five-eighth , Halfback 201770000 Auckland colours.svg Warriors 0110000—
7Chantay Kiria-Ratu21 Halfback , Five-eighth 20224110024 Cronulla colours.svg Sharks 1324313139—
8Lavinia Kitai21 Prop 202270000 Auckland colours.svg Warriors 0110000—
9Pearl Tuitama— Hooker 202520000 Ipswich Colours.svg Jets 000000—
10Ashlee Matapo19 Prop 202520000 Auckland colours.svg Warriors 080000—
11Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu— Second-row 202520000 Cronulla colours.svg Sharks 991004—
19Kaiyah Atai24 Second-row , Centre 202340000 Auckland colours.svg Warriors 0111004—
13 Jazmon Tupou-Witchman 21 Lock , Prop 202271004 South Sydney colours.svg Rabbitohs 030000—
14Kerehitina Matua26 Second-row 2022743022 Canberra colours.svg Raiders 20202008Tino Rangatiratanga Maori sovereignty movement flag.svg 4
15Porche John18 Prop 202510000 Balmain colours.svg Tigers 000000—
16 Ngatokotoru Arakua 28 Prop 202331004 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Titans 51530012Flag of New Zealand.svg 9
17Jodeci Joseph— Centre 202330000 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Papakura 000000—
18Memory Paitai19 Five-eighth , Second-row 202511004 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Bears 000000—
12 April Ngatupuna 22 Prop , Lock 202251004 Souths-Logan Magpies Colours.svg Magpies 0111004—
20Hannah Makira19 Wing , Centre 202511004 Canterbury colours.svg Bulldogs 000000—

Notes

Results

DateOpponentScoreTournamentVenueVideoReport(s)
28 Sep 2003Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
0–68
 2003 World Cup Flag of New Zealand.svg North Harbour Stadium — [10] [11]
30 Sep 2003Flag of Tokelau.svg Tokelau
30–16
— [12]
6 Oct 2003Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
20–20
— [13]
8 Oct 2003 Tino Rangatiratanga Maori sovereignty movement flag.svg Māori
0–46
— [10]
10 Oct 2003Flag of Tokelau.svg Tokelau
18–12
— [10]
12 Oct 2003Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
18–28
— [10]
16 Nov 2017Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
4–58
 2017 World Cup Flag of Australia (converted).svg Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney [14] [15]
19 Nov 2017Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
0–76
 [16] [17]
22 Nov 2017Flag of England.svg  England
22–16
 [18] [19] [20]
2 Nov 2022Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
0–74
 2021 World Cup Flag of England.svg York Community Stadium, York [21] [22] [23]
6 Nov 2022Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
4–34
 [24] [25] [26]
10 Nov 2022Flag of France.svg  France
26–18
 [27] [28] [29]
22 Oct 2023Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea
20–28
 2023 Pacific Championship Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Santos Stadium, Port Moresby [30] [31]
26 Oct 2024Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
6–18
 2024 Pacific Championship Flag of Fiji.svg HFC Bank Stadium, Suva [32] [33] [34]
18 Oct 2025Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea
34–6
 2025 Pacific Championship Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Santos Stadium, Port Moresby [35]
25 Oct 2025Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
42–24
 [36]

Other matches

DateOpponentScoreTournamentVenueVideoReport(s)
27 Oct 2022 Flag of England.svg England Knights
26–14
Warm-Up Trial MatchFlag of England.svg Weetwood, Leeds [37] — [38]

Nines

DateOpponentScoreTournamentVenueVideoReport(s)
23 Feb 2018Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
4–12
 2018 Commonwealth Championship Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dolphin Stadium, Brisbane — [39]
23 Feb 2018Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
20–12
 [40] [41]
24 Feb 2018Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
8–14
— [42]
24 Feb 2018Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
20–0
—
8 Jul 2019Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
16–12
 2019 Pacific Games Flag of Samoa.svg Apia Park — [43]
8 Jul 2019Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg  Solomon Islands
38–0
—
9 Jul 2019Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea
8–14
—
9 Jul 2019Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
24–10
 [44] [45]
20 Nov 2023Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg  Solomon Islands
36–0
2023 Pacific Games Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg National Stadium, Honiara — [46]
20 Nov 2023Flag of Vanuatu.svg  Vanuatu
28–6
— [46]
20 Nov 2023Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
20–4
— [46]
21 Nov 2023Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
18–10
— [47] [48]
21 Nov 2023Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
10–12
— [48]
22 Nov 2023Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
16–8
— [49] [50]

Margins and streaks

Biggest winning margins

MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
2834–6Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea Santos National Football Stadium 18 Oct 2025
1842–24Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga Santos National Football Stadium 25 Oct 2025
1430–16Flag of Tokelau.svg Tokelau North Harbour Stadium 30 Sep 2003
826–18Flag of France.svg France LNER Community Stadium 10 Nov 2022

Biggest losing margins

MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
760–76Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Southern Cross Group Stadium 19 Nov 2017
740–74Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia LNER Community Stadium 2 Nov 2022
680–68Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand North Harbour Stadium 28 Sep 2003
544–58Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Southern Cross Group Stadium 16 Nov 2017
304–34Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand LNER Community Stadium 6 Nov 2022

Past squads

2017

Squad for the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup : [51] [52]

2003

Squad for the 2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup : [5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: Women". International Rugby League. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  2. ↑ "Sport: Cooks women upset despite Rugby League World Cup spot | Radio New Zealand News". Radio New Zealand. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  3. ↑ "Women's side off to League World Cup". cookislandsnews.com. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  4. ↑ "International Rugby League Announces Qualification Places For France 2025". IRL. 24 March 2022. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  5. 1 2 Lion Foundation Woman's Rugby League World Cup 2003. North Harbour, New Zealand: New Zealand Women's Rugby League. 2003.
  6. ↑ Matautia-Morgan, Levi (2017-10-26). "Cook Islands women's league team back in the game". Cook Islands women's league team back in the game. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  7. ↑ Francis, Payne (2003). New Zealand Rugby League Almanack 2003. New Zealand Rugby Football League Inc.
  8. ↑ "Sport: Cook Islands women accept difficult Rugby League World Cup draw". Radio New Zealand . 2016-11-25. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  9. ↑ "Vaine Moana 2025 Squad". facebook. Cook Islands Rugby League. 7 Oct 2025. Retrieved 7 Oct 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Francis, Payne (2003). New Zealand Rugby League Almanack 2003. New Zealand Rugby Football League Inc.
  11. ↑ "Scoreboard". Rugby League Week (1/10/2003). Sydney: Bauer Media Group.
  12. ↑ Birchall, Steven (4 Oct 2003) [2003]. "Womens World Cup : Round Three Results". Womens RLeague. Australian Womens Rugby League. Archived from the original on 2004-11-29. Retrieved 30 Oct 2020.
  13. ↑ "Women's Rugby League". Rugby League Review. 1 Nov 2003. p. 8.
  14. ↑ "Australia vs Cook Island - Women's 2017 RLWC". YouTube. Pacific Eye. 16 Nov 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  15. ↑ Riccio, David (17 Nov 2017). "Jillaroo dreams come true in a Cup flogging". Daily Telegraph. p. 104.
  16. ↑ "Kiwi Ferns Vs Cook Island - Women's RLWC 2017 Highlights". YouTube. Rugby League World Cup. 20 Nov 2017. Retrieved 30 Sep 2020.
  17. ↑ "Women's Rugby League World Cup 2017 - Round 2 Results". League Unlimited. 19 Nov 2017. Retrieved 24 Mar 2021.
  18. ↑ "England vs Cook Island - Full HIGHLIGHTS - 2017 Women's RLWC". YouTube. Pacific Eye. 22 Nov 2017. Retrieved 26 Apr 2022.
  19. ↑ "England 16 v 22 Cook islands". European Rugby League. 22 Nov 2017. Retrieved 31 Mar 2021.
  20. ↑ Golding, Craig (22 Nov 2017). "Cook Islands stun England in Women's Rugby League World Cup boilover". ABC. AAP. Retrieved 21 Oct 2020.
  21. ↑ "Australia start World Cup against Cook Islands - RLWC2021 Cazoo Match Highlights". YouTube. Rugby League World Cup 2021. 2 Nov 2022. Retrieved 3 Nov 2022.
  22. ↑ "Women's Rugby League World Cup - Australia 74 v 0 Cook Islands". NRL. 2 Nov 2022. Retrieved 3 Nov 2022.
  23. ↑ "Women's Rugby League World Cup : Round 1 - Australian Jillaroos 74 v 0 Cook Islands Women". Rugby League World Cup 2021. 2 Nov 2022. Retrieved 3 Nov 2022.
  24. ↑ "New Zealand take on Cook Islands in Group B - RLWC2021 Cazoo Women's Match Highlights". YouTube. Rugby League World Cup 2021. 7 Nov 2022. Retrieved 7 Nov 2022.
  25. ↑ "Women's Rugby League World Cup - New Zraland 34 v 4 Cook Islands". NRL. 6 Nov 2022. Retrieved 7 Nov 2022.
  26. ↑ "Women's Rugby League World Cup : Round 2 - Kiwi Ferns 34 v 4 Cook Islands Women". Rugby League World Cup 2021. 6 Nov 2022. Retrieved 7 Nov 2022.
  27. ↑ "France and the Cook Islands face off in their final group B game - RLWC2021 Cazoo Match Highlights". YouTube. Rugby League World Cup 2021. 10 Nov 2022. Retrieved 11 Nov 2022.
  28. ↑ "Women's Rugby League World Cup - France 18 v 26 Cook Islands". NRL. 10 Nov 2022. Retrieved 11 Nov 2022.
  29. ↑ "Women's Rugby League World Cup : Round 3 - France Women 18 v 26 Cook Islands Women". Rugby League World Cup 2021. 10 Nov 2022. Retrieved 11 Nov 2022.
  30. ↑ "PNG Orchids v Cook Islands Moana - Match Highlights - Pacific Championships, 2023 - NRLW". YouTube. NRLW - National Rugby League Women's. 22 Oct 2023. Retrieved 22 Oct 2023.
  31. ↑ Lucantonio, AJ (22 Oct 2023). "Orchids shine bright despite late Moana comeback". League Unlimited. Retrieved 22 Oct 2023.
  32. ↑ "Pacific Championships 2024 - Bulikula v Moana - Match Highlights". YouTube. NRLW - National Rugby League Women's. 26 Oct 2024. Retrieved 26 Oct 2024.
  33. ↑ Rosser, Corey (26 Oct 2024). "Naikore bags three as Fiji set up a shot at history". NRL. Retrieved 26 Oct 2024.
  34. ↑ Cama, Akuila (26 Oct 2024). "Naikore hat-trick, World Cup dream alive". FBC News. Retrieved 26 Oct 2024.
  35. ↑ "2025 Women's Pacific Championships - Orchids v Moana - Match Highlights - Week 1". YouTube. NRLW - National Rugby League Women's. 18 Oct 2025. Retrieved 18 Oct 2025.
  36. ↑ "2025 Women's Pacific Championships - Moana v Tonga XIII - Match Highlights - Round 2". YouTube. NRLW - National Rugby League Women's. 25 Oct 2025. Retrieved 25 Oct 2025.
  37. ↑ "Women Build Up To World Cup". European Rugby League. 27 Oct 2022. Retrieved 27 Oct 2022.
  38. ↑ "England Knights 14 v 24 Cook Islands". European Rugby League. 28 Oct 2022. Retrieved 29 Oct 2022.
  39. ↑ "Commonwealth Championship: Day 1 Results". QRL. Commonwealth Championship Media. 23 Feb 2018. Retrieved 1 Apr 2021.
  40. ↑ "2018 Commonwealth Championships: Canada Ravens vs. Cook Islands". YouTube. Canada Rugby League. 25 Feb 2018. Retrieved 18 Apr 2021.
  41. ↑ Clarkstone, Julian (23 Feb 2018). "Commonwealth Championships: Day One Wrap-Up". Canada Rugby League. Retrieved 19 Apr 2021.
  42. ↑ "Commonwealth Championships Results - Day Two". Love Rugby League. 24 Feb 2018. Retrieved 1 Apr 2021.
  43. ↑ "Results from Day 1 of 2019 Pacific Games". Asia Pacific Rugby League. 8 Jul 2019. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
  44. ↑ "Rugby League 9s, Pacific Games 2019". YouTube. 17 Jul 2019. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
  45. ↑ Pavitt, Michael (9 Jul 2019). "Fiji celebrate double rugby league nines gold as history made at Samoa 2019". Inside the Games. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
  46. 1 2 3 Walter, Brad (21 Nov 2023). "Kiria-Ratu stars for Cook Islands as Fiji suffer shock defeats at Pacific Games". NRL. Retrieved 21 Nov 2023.
  47. ↑ Tuiwai, Taina (21 Nov 2023). "Fiji to face Samoa in League 9s final". FBC News. Retrieved 22 Nov 2023.
  48. 1 2 Walter, Brad (22 Nov 2023). "Woolf, Kaufusi backing Tonga women in quest for Pacific Games gold". NRL. Retrieved 22 Nov 2023.
  49. ↑ "Kiria-Ratu overwhelmed after helping Cook Islands to Pacific Games triumph". NRL. 23 Nov 2023. Retrieved 23 Nov 2023.
  50. ↑ Hodge, Hugo (23 Nov 2023). "Cook Islands ends Tonga's fairytale women's rugby 9s story in Pacific Games final". ABC. Retrieved 23 Nov 2023.
  51. ↑ "Women's RLWC2017 final squads announced". Rugby League World Cup. 2017-11-03. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
  52. ↑ "Rugby League Planet - Cook Islands name team for 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup". www.rugbyleagueplanet.com. 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
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