The co-hosts look to secure top spot in Pool A against the Rugby League World Cup minnows
Watch Australia v Cook Islands as the Rugby League World Cup co-hosts and favourites try to make it three wins from three in Pool A.
– Date: Saturday 31 October, 2026
– Kick-off time: 9.05am GMT / 8.05pm AEDT / 10.05pm NZDT / 5.05am EDT / 2.05am PDT
– Free stream: 7 Plus (Australia)
– Other live streams: Premier Sports (UK, Ireland, US), Sky Sport (New Zealand)
– Watch from anywhere: Try NordVPN 100% risk-free
The result of this match will have little impact on the composition of the semi-finals. The Kangaroos have already qualified for the knockout stages and have secured top of Pool A courtesy of their wins against both New Zealand and Fiji.
With progression guaranteed, Kangaroos boss Kevin Walters is taking the opportunity to experiment, most notably with his pivotal five-eighth/halfback partnership. Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden will be the third pairing he’s deployed in the pool stages.
Read on to find out everything you need to know to watch Australia v Cook Islands online, on TV and from anywhere – including an option to watch for free in Australia. Scroll down to the end of the article for the team line-ups.
How to watch Australia v Cook Islands for FREE
Rugby league fans down under can watch Kangaroos v Cook Islands – along with every other match of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup – for free on Seven and its 7plus streaming service. You just need to create a free account with your email address to get started.
The good news for Aussies travelling overseas right now is that you can still access your usual free 7plus service by using a VPN to avoid geo-blocking restrictions that might otherwise get in the way. Find out more below.
Live stream Kangaroos v Cook Islands from anywhere
Away from home? Fear not. A VPN bypasses geo-blocking by changing your IP address, allowing you to stream matches as if you were sitting in your own front room. The tech experts at TechRadar and Tom’s Guide rate NordVPN as world number one, thanks to its low price and unrivalled ability to unblock streaming services.
Other places to watch Australia v Cook Islands
- United Kingdom: You’ll want to head to Premier Sports to watch Kangaroos v Cook Islands live streams in the UK. You can follow the action online, or through your TV via Sky Q, Prime Video, STV Player or Virgin Media. Costs are £18.99 a month on a rolling basis, £13.99 a month on a year-long contract, or £150 a year (that works out at £12.50 per month) if you pay up front.
- Ireland: Premier Sports is also the place to go to watch Australia v Cook Islands in Ireland. If you already have Sky Sports you can add the service to your subscription as part of the Sports Extra pack. It’ll cost you €10 per month for the first six months, before rising to €25 per month for the next six months.
- United States: Kangaroos v Cook Islands live streams are available on Premier Sports in the US. You can get access to all 53 games of the Rugby League World Cup with a RLWC26 Pass, which costs $25.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ is the destination to live stream Australia v Cook Islands in New Zealand. Subscriptions will set you back $59.99 per month or $549.99 per year, though day passes are available for $29.99 if you only want to tune into specific games.
- Rest of the world: Premier Sports holds the Rugby League World Cup 2026 rights in over 120 countries around the world so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to watch live streams for this Pool A match there. Prices, of course, vary by region.
- Read more: 10 players who’ve shone in both rugby union and rugby league
Kangaroos v Cook Islands line-ups and officials
Australia
1. Reece Walsh
2. Jack Bostock
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Bradman Best
5. Tom Trbojevic
6. Cameron Munster
7. Tom Dearden
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Jacob Preston
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo (captain)
Interchange:
14. Ethan Strange
15. Keaon Koloamatangi
17. Reuben Cotter
18. Lindsay Smith
19. James Tedesco
22. David Fifita
Cook Islands
1. Valentine Holmes
2. Cameron Brown
3. KL Iro (captain)
4. Reubenn Rennie
5. Esan Marsters
6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio
7. Brad Takairangi
8. Davvy Moale
9. Rua Ngatikaura
10. Rhys Dakin
11. Chaev Kolone
12. Delahia Wigmore
13. Mason Teague
Interchange:
14. David Tuariki
15. Makahesi Makatoa
16. Pride Petterson-Robati
17. Amare Milford
18. K-Cl Newton-Whare
19. Glassie Glassie
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch judges: Michael Wise, Nick Pelgrave
Senior review official: Chris Butler
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: rugbyworld.com
