Former Hull KR represenative Brad Takairangi and incoming Wakefield Trinity signing Mason Teague have been named in the Cook Islands squad for the Rugby League World Cup.
Takairangi, 37, has won 14 caps for Cook Islands to date and has been playing for Glebe Dirty Reds in 2026, featuring in the New South Wales Rugby Football League’s Sydney premiership.
NRL star Valentine Holmes will make his debut for the nation at this year’s tournament Down Under, with the Cook Islands opening their campaign against Fiji on October 18 before facing Australia and New Zealand.
Holmes, 31, has won 21 caps for Australia since making his international debut in 2016. However, the Queensland State of Origin representative has switched allegiances for this year’s World Cup.
He is joined by Cronulla Sharks star KL Iro, as well as Super League players Esan Marsters (Bradford), Reuben Rennie (Toulouse) and Paul Ulberg (Toulouse).
Hooker Teague, 23, will join Super League champions Wakefield on a two-year contract from 2027, moving from Queensland Cup side Burleigh Bears.
The full Cook Islands squad is: Cameron Brown (Brisbane Tigers), Rhys Dakin (Sydney Roosters), Glassie Glassie (Wests Tigers), Valentine Holmes (St George Illawarra Dragons), KL Iro (Cronulla Sharks), Chaev Kolone (Canberra Raiders), Makahesi Makatoa (Sydney Roosters), Esan Marsters (Bradford Bulls), Amare Milford (Melbourne Storm), Davvy Moale (Melbourne Storm), K-CI Newton-Whare (Melbourne Storm), Rua Ngatikaura, Marata Niukore (New Zealand Warriors), Pride Petterson-Robati (Souths Logan Magpies), Reuben Porter (St George Illawarra Dragons), Reubenn Rennie (Toulouse Olympique), Brad Takairangi, Mason Teague (Dolphins), David Tuariki (Melbourne Storm), Paul Ulberg (Toulouse Olympique), Delahia Wigmore (Penrith Panthers), Maui Winitana-Patelesio (New Zealand Warriors)