Nines gives Cook Islands players chance to stake World Cup claim

Cook Islands players were given the chance to push for a spot in their World Cup qualifying campaign at the international Nines tournament on Saturday.

The Cook Islands will face the United States later this year for a place in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, which will be staged in England.

Officials of the Cook Islands hope they will be able to have the services of a number of NRL and Super League stars, such as Alex Glenn, Dylan Napa, Zane Tetevano, Brad Takairangi, Anthony Gelling, Adam Tangata, Dom Peyroux and Tinirau Arona.

However, the majority of the squad is likely to be drawn from the Cook Islands, New Zealand and Australian competitions outside the NRL.

And Australian-based players from New South Wales and Queensland had the opportunity to put their hand up for World Cup qualifiers selection at the Nines tournament at Cabramatta on Saturday.

The Cook Islands team were one of 18 men’s sides who competed in the tournament.