# 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 | FM | MR | M | W | D | L | Win% | PF | PA | Share |
| New Zealand | 2003 | 2022 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.00% | 4 | 178 | 2.20% |
| Tokelau | 2003 | 2003 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 48 | 28 | 63.16% |
| Great Britain | 2003 | 2003 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50.00% | 20 | 20 | 50.00% |
| Māori | 2003 | 2003 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0 | 46 | 0.00% |
| Samoa | 2003 | 2003 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 18 | 28 | 39.13% |
| Australia | 2017 | 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 4 | 132 | 2.94% |
| England | 2017 | 2017 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 22 | 16 | 57.89% |
| France | 2022 | 2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 26 | 18 | 59.09% |
| Papua New Guinea | 2023 | 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 20 | 28 | 41.67% |
| Fiji | 2024 | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 6 | 18 | 25.00% |
| Totals | 2003 | 2024 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 0.00% | 168 | 512 | 24.71% |
Note:
* Table last updated 26 October 2024.
* Share is the portion of "For" points compared to the sum of "For" and "Against" points.

## Current squad

The Moana squad for the 2024 Pacific Championships was announced on 9 October 2024.
| J# | Player | Age | Position(s) | Moana | Moana | Moana | Moana | Moana | Moana | Club | NRLW | NRLW | NRLW | NRLW | NRLW | NRLW | Other Reps |
| J# | Player | Age | Position(s) | Dbt | M | T | G | F | Pts | Club | CM | TM | T | G | F | Pts | Other Reps |
| 1 | Kiana Takairangi | 32 | Fullback, Centre | 2017 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Rabbitohs | 0 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 1 3 |
| 2 | Chantelle Holloway-Samuels | 25 | Wing, Centre | 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Seagulls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 3 | Tyler Birch | 28 | Centre | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bears | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Kaiyah Atai | — | Centre, Second-row | 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Roses | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 5 | Kiarah Siauane | 19 | Wing, Centre | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Magpies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 6 | Charntay Poko | 28 | Five-eighth, Lock | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Papanui | 0 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| 7 | Lydia Turua-Quedley | 25 | Halfback | 2017 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Roses | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 8 | Crystal Tamarua | 29 | Prop, Second-row | 2017 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Seagulls | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 1 |
| 9 | Chelsea Makira | 20 | Hooker | 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Eels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 10 | April Ngatupuna | 21 | Prop, Lock | 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — |
| 11 | Jazmon Tupou-Witchman | 20 | Second-row, Prop | 2022 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Cowboys | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 12 | Kerehitina Matua | 25 | Second-row | 2022 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 10 | Raiders | 16 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
| 13 | Anneka Stephens | 35 | Lock | 2022 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Joondalup | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 14 | Jodeci Joseph | — | Centre | 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Papakura | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 15 | Lavinia Kitai | 20 | Prop | 2022 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Sharks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 18 | Tahleisha Maeva | 21 | Second-row | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Eels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 19 | Ryvrr-Lee Alo | 18 | Lock | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Eels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 21 | Chazmin Holloway-Samuels | — | Centre | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Seagulls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 16 | Elianna Walton | 39 | Prop | 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Mounties | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 1 7 2 6 1 |
| 17 | Wanita Leatherby | 19 | Second-row | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Sea Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| – | Ngatokotoru Arakua | 27 | Prop | 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Titans | 3 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 9 |

## Results
### Full internationals

| Date | Opponent | Score | Tournament | Venue | Video | Report(s) |
| 28 Sep 2003 | New Zealand | 0–68 | 2003 World Cup | North Harbour Stadium | — | [10] [11] |
| 30 Sep 2003 | Tokelau | 30–16 | 2003 World Cup | North Harbour Stadium | — | |
| 6 Oct 2003 | Great Britain | 20–20 | 2003 World Cup | North Harbour Stadium | — | |
| 8 Oct 2003 | Māori | 0–46 | 2003 World Cup | North Harbour Stadium | — | |
| 10 Oct 2003 | Tokelau | 18–12 | 2003 World Cup | North Harbour Stadium | — | |
| 12 Oct 2003 | Samoa | 18–28 | 2003 World Cup | North Harbour Stadium | — | |
| 16 Nov 2017 | Australia | 4–58 | 2017 World Cup | Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney | | |
| 19 Nov 2017 | New Zealand | 0–76 | 2017 World Cup | Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney | | |
| 22 Nov 2017 | England | 22–16 | 2017 World Cup | Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney | | [19] [20] |
| 2 Nov 2022 | Australia | 0–74 | 2021 World Cup | York Community Stadium, York | | |
| 6 Nov 2022 | New Zealand | 4–34 | 2021 World Cup | York Community Stadium, York | | |
| 10 Nov 2022 | France | 26–18 | 2021 World Cup | York Community Stadium, York | | |
| 22 Oct 2023 | Papua New Guinea | 20–28 | 2023 Pacific Champs | Santos Stadium, Port Moresby | | |
| 26 Oct 2024 | Fiji | 6–18 | 2024 Pacific Champs | HFC Bank Stadium, Suva | | |

### Tour / trial / warm-up matches

| Date | Opponent | Score | Tournament | Venue | Video | Report(s) |
| 27 Oct 2022 | England Knights | 26–14 | Warm-Up Trial Match | Weetwood, Leeds | — | |

### Nines

| Date | Opponent | Score | Tournament | Venue | Video |
| 23 Feb 2018 | Tonga | 4–12 | 2018 Commonwealth Championship | Dolphin Stadium, Brisbane | — |
| 23 Feb 2018 | Canada | 20–12 | 2018 Commonwealth Championship | Dolphin Stadium, Brisbane | |
| 24 Feb 2018 | Australia | 8–14 | 2018 Commonwealth Championship | Dolphin Stadium, Brisbane | — |
| 24 Feb 2018 | Tonga | 20–0 | 2018 Commonwealth Championship | Dolphin Stadium, Brisbane | — |
| 8 Jul 2019 | Samoa | 16–12 | 2019 Pacific Games | Apia Park | — |
| 8 Jul 2019 | Solomon Islands | 38–0 | 2019 Pacific Games | Apia Park | — |
| 9 Jul 2019 | Papua New Guinea | 8–14 | 2019 Pacific Games | Apia Park | — |
| 9 Jul 2019 | Samoa | 24–10 | 2019 Pacific Games | Apia Park | |
| 20 Nov 2023 | Solomon Islands | 36–0 | 2023 Pacific Games | National Stadium, Honiara | — |
| 20 Nov 2023 | Vanuatu | 28–6 | 2023 Pacific Games | National Stadium, Honiara | — |
| 20 Nov 2023 | Samoa | 20–4 | 2023 Pacific Games | National Stadium, Honiara | — |
| 21 Nov 2023 | Fiji | 18–10 | 2023 Pacific Games | National Stadium, Honiara | — |
| 21 Nov 2023 | Tonga | 10–12 | 2023 Pacific Games | National Stadium, Honiara | — |
| 22 Nov 2023 | Tonga | 16–8 | 2023 Pacific Games | National Stadium, Honiara | — |

## Recent full internationals in detail
### 2017
#### Australia v. Cook Islands

* 16 November 2017 16:00 AEDT (UTC+11)
| Australia | 58 – 4 | Cook Islands |
| Tries: 11 Caitlyn Moran (6', 78') 2 Brittany Breayley (11') 1 Karina Brown (15') 1 Ali Brigginshaw (21') 1 Vanessa Foliaki (25') 1 Talesha Quinn (32') 1 Isabelle Kelly (36') 1 Nakia Davis-Welsh (49') 1 Meg Ward (53') 1 Lavina O'Mealey (57') 1 Goals: 7 Maddie Studdon 4/5 (38', 50', 55', 79') Caitlyn Moran 3/6 (16', 22', 26') | 1st: 36 – 0 2nd: 22 – 4 NRL Stats | Tries: 1 1 (74') Chantelle Inangaro Schofield Goals: nil 0/1 Chantelle Inangaro Schofield |
* Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Antoinette Watts

#### New Zealand v. Cook Islands

* 19 November 2017 16:00 AEDT (UTC+11)
| New Zealand | 76 – 0 | Cook Islands |
| Tries: 14 Honey Hireme (9', 30', 35', 44', 51', 69') 6 Shontelle Woodman (24', 32') 2 Krystal Murray (27', 76') 2 Raecene McGregor (54', 57') 2 Lilieta Maumau (19') 1 Nita Maynard (62') 1 Goals: 10 Kimiora Nati 10/14 (20', 28', 31', 34', 36', 46', 56', 63', 71', 77') | 1st: 38 – 0 2nd: 38 – 0 NRL Stats | |
* Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Bianca Zietsman

#### England v. Cook Islands

* 22 November 2017 13:45 AEDT (UTC+11)
| England | 16 – 22 | Cook Islands |
| Tries: 3 Emma Slowe (47') 1 Amy Hardcastle (54') 1 Kayleigh Bulman (76') 1 Goals: 2 Claire Garner 2/3 (48', 56') | 1st: 0 – 16 2nd: 16 – 6 NRL Stats | Tries: 4 1 (2') Beniamina Koiatu 1 (30') Katelyn Arona 1 (34') Cecelia Strickland 1 (80') Te Amohaere Ngata-Aerengamate Goals: 3 3/4 Chantelle Inangaro Schofield (31', 35', 80') |
* Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Jake Sutherland

### 2022
#### Australia v. Cook Islands

* 2 November 2022 19:30 GMT (UTC±00:00)
| Australia | 74–0 | Cook Islands |
| Tries: 14 Sam Bremner (21', 44', 60', 63') 4 Evania Pelite (3', 25', 70') 3 Tarryn Aiken (14', 72') 2 Julia Robinson (33', 57') 2 Caitlan Johnston (9') 1 Shenae Ciesiolka (30') 1 Taliah Fuimaono (54') 1 Goals: 9 Lauren Brown 6/9 (10', 16', 23', 31', 65', 70') Holli Wheeler 3/3 (55', 58', 61') | 1st: 36 – 0 2nd: 38 – 0 Report NRL Stats | |
* York Community Stadium, York Attendance: 3,091 Referee: Michael Smaill (England) Touch judges: Warren Turley (England), Wyatt Raymond (Australia) Player of the Match: Sam Bremner (Australia)

#### New Zealand v. Cook Islands

* 6 November 2022 17:00 GMT (UTC±00:00)
| New Zealand | 34–4 | Cook Islands |
| Tries: 7 Raecene McGregor (9', 53') 2 Mele Hufanga (58', 71') 2 Krystal Rota (14') 1 Amber Hall (30') 1 Annetta Nu'uausala (78') 1 Goals: 3 Laishon Albert-Jones (0/4) Brianna Clark 3/3 (32', 73', 79') | 1st: 14 – 0 2nd: 20 – 4 Report NRL Stats | Tries: 1 1 (66') Mackenzie Wiki |
* York Community Stadium, York Attendance: 3,006 Referee: Michael Smaill (England) Touch judges: James Vella (England), Liam Rush (England) Player of the Match: Raecene McGregor (New Zealand)

#### France v. Cook Islands

* 10 November 2022 17:00 GMT (UTC±00:00)
| France | 18–26 | Cook Islands |
| Tries: 4 Elisa Ciria (47', 75') 2 Melanie Bianchini (26') 1 Cristina Song-Puche (64') 1 Goals: 1 Elisa Ciria 1/4 (49') | 1st: 4 – 12 2nd: 14 – 14 Report NRL Stats | Tries: 5 1 (18') April Ngatupuna 1 (29') Terehia Matua 1 (41') Mackenzie Wiki 1 (60') Alekermay Tuaana 1 (72') Tetuanui Dean Goals: 3 3/5 Kerehitina Matua (19', 31', 62') |
* York Community Stadium, York Attendance: 3,370 Referee: Ben Thaler (England) Touch judges: Belinda Sharpe (Australia), Marcus Griffiths (England)

### 2023
#### Papua New Guinea v. Cook Islands

* 22 October 2023 12:45 AEST (UTC+10:00)
| Papua New Guinea | 28–20 | Cook Islands |
| Tries: 6 Lyiannah Allan (22', 48') 2 Roswita Kapo (9') 1 Essay Banu (18') 1 Leila Kerowa (34') 1 Latoniya Norris (44') 1 Goals: 2 Emily Veivers 2/6 (10', 20') | NRL Stats | Tries: 4 1 (14') Chelsea Makira 1 (26') Mahinaarangi Rewi 1 (58') Kiana Takairangi 1 (63') Chantelle Holloway-Samuels Goals: 2 2/4 Chantay Kiria-Ratu (16', 65') |
* Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby Attendance: 7,001 Referee: Belinda Sharpe (Australia)

## 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)