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Australia vs Cook Islands Tips & Preview - Value on a shut-out win at Rugby League World Cup

andrew-hendrie
Andrew Hendrie
Editor
Last updated: Thu 29 Oct 2026 09:24
Australia are tipped to cover a -70.5 line and keep Cook Islands scoreless in their first ever meeting at the Rugby League World Cup. The Kangaroos welcome back key players including Reece Walsh, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Cameron Munster, bolstering their squad after mixed early form. Cook Islands, who conceded 82 points to New Zealand last week, make just one change to their line-up. The significant difference in quality and recent defensive struggles for Cook Islands support a prediction of a dominant Australian performance and a potential shut-out.
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Andrew Hendrie 29 Oct 2026
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  • Australia are tipped to cover a -70.5 line and keep Cook Islands scoreless.
  • Key Kangaroos players return, strengthening the side after mixed early form.
  • Cook Islands conceded 82 points to New Zealand and make just one squad change.
australia kangaroos rugby league
Australia Kangaroos to be near perfect (Getty Images)


Australia vs Cook Islands Verdict


A huge -70.5 line should be within reach for Australia's Kangaroos. It is a big mismatch and we are sticking with Cook Islands to be kept pointless is what would be a perfect shut-out for the Kangaroos.

Head To Head

This will be the first ever meeting between the two nations.

Australia Form

It hasn't been the best start to the World Cup for the defending champions and they look vulnerable for the business stage of the tournament.

The Kangaroos were forced to come from behind in the second half of both games against New Zealand and Fiji.

A late try to Jack Bostock was enough for Australia to edge out the Kiwis 24-22 before they were able to score four of the final five tries in a 36-22 triumph over a gallant Fijian side last week, with Tom Trbojevic crossing for a hat-trick.

Cook Islands Form

After going down 40-12 to Fiji in their World Cup opener, Cook Islands had their fans in a frenzy early on against the Kiwis in Christchurch last week.

Incredibly, Cook Islands went ahead 16-12 midway through the first half as Esom Ioka bagged two intercepts and leaped high for a bomb to bag himself a memorable hat-trick.

However, it was always going to be a big ask for Cook Islands to hang with New Zealand and they ultimately conceded 46 unanswered second-half points to go down 82-16.

Team News

The Kangaroos welcome back several key players, with Reece Walsh reclaiming the No.1 jersey and Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Cameron Munster all returning to the lineup. 

Tom Dearden takes over at halfback alongside Munster, pushing Sam Walker into the reserves. Raiders youngster Ethan Strange is set to make his international debut off the bench after being called into the squad following Mitch Moses' injury withdrawal.

Pat Carrigan and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui have been promoted to the starting front row after featuring off the bench last week, while Harry Grant returns at hooker. James Tedesco shifts to the interchange to accommodate Walsh, with David Fifita and Blayke Brailey dropping out of the side.

Meanwhile, the Aitu have made just one change, with Toulouse winger Paul Ulberg returning in place of Esom Ioka, who suffered an injury last week after scoring a hat-trick. Coach Karmichael Hunt has otherwise has retained the same 19-man squad.

Verdict

Australia are tipped to cover a -70.5 line & keep Cook Islands scoreless.

Best Bet1: Australia -70.5 Line @9/10 at bet365 - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Cook Islands Under 0.5 Total Tries @4/5 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Tom Dearden Anytime Tryscorer @7/8 at Star Sports - 2 Units
Best Bet4: Cam Murray Anytime Tryscorer @23/10 at Hollywoodbets - 1 Unit
Australia -70.5
Line
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andrew-hendrie
Andrew Hendrie

Sports Editor • 20+ years betting experience

Andrew has been writing about sports for over a decade now after graduating with a double degree in 2013. In that time he has covered a wide range of sports, including NRL, AFL, Football (soccer), Tennis, NBA, NFL and more.


As a fan of Manchester City (since the 90s, he’s not a bandwagoner so they say), Canterbury Bulldogs and the Newcastle Jets, he’s experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows throughout the last few years.

You can find Andy at Muckrack and X.

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