Cook Islands women's national rugby league team

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NicknameThe Moana
Governing bodyCook Islands Rugby League Association
RegionAsia-Pacific
Head coachRonald Griffiths
Cook Islands
Team information
NicknameThe Moana
Governing bodyCook Islands Rugby League Association
RegionAsia-Pacific
Head coachRonald Griffiths
Home stadiumAvarua National Stadium
IRL ranking 9 Steady (31 December 2025)[1]
Uniforms
First colours
Team results
First international
Cook Islands Cook Islands 0-68 New Zealand 
(North Harbour Stadium, Albany, New Zealand)
28 September 2003
Biggest win
Cook Islands Cook Islands 34-6 Papua New Guinea
(PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby)
18 October 2023
Biggest defeat
Cook Islands Cook Islands 0–76 New Zealand 
(Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney)
19 November 2017
World Cup
Appearances2 (first time in 2003)
Best resultRound Robin,2017

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.[2][3] 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.[4] 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.

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.[5]

Cook Islands first World Cup appearance was at the 2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8] After losses by large margins to New Zealand and Australia, the Cook Islands team had an upset victory over England.

Head to head records

OpponentFMMRMWDLWin%PFPAShare
 New Zealand2003202230030.00%41782.20%
Tokelau200320032200100.00%482863.16%
 Great Britain20032003101050.00%202050.00%
Māori people Māori2003200310010.00%0460.00%
 Samoa2003200310010.00%182839.13%
 Australia2017202220020.00%41322.94%
 England201720171100100.00%221657.89%
 France202220221100100.00%261859.09%
 Papua New Guinea20232025210150.00%543461.36%
 Fiji2024202410010.00%61825.00%
 Tonga202520251100100.00%422463.64%
Totals200320251661940.63%24454231.04%

Note:

  • Table last updated 26 October 2025.
  • Share is the portion of "For" points compared to the sum of "For" and "Against" points.

Current squad

The Moana squad for the 2025 Pacific Championships was announced on social media on 7 October 2025.[9]

Jersey numbers in the table reflect selections for the Round 2 match versus Tonga

Tallies in the table reflect the match versus Tonga on 25 October 2025.

J# Player Age Position(s) Moana Club NRLW Other Reps
Dbt M T G F Pts CM TM T G F Pts
1Kiana Takairangi33Fullback, Centre201781004 Eels21590036 2 1 3
2Kiarah Siauane20Wing, Centre202432008 Magpies000000—
3Keira Rangi18Centre, Second-row202510000 Magpies000000—
4Deleni Paitai18Centre202521004 Bears000000—
5Paulina Morris-Ponga—Wing, Centre2023340016 Lions000000—
6Lydia Turua-Quedley26Five-eighth, Halfback201770000 Warriors0110000—
7Chantay Kiria-Ratu21Halfback, Five-eighth20224110024 Sharks1324313139—
8Lavinia Kitai21Prop202270000 Warriors0110000—
9Pearl Tuitama—Hooker202520000 Jets000000—
10Ashlee Matapo19Prop202520000 Warriors080000—
11Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu—Second-row202520000 Sharks991004—
19Kaiyah Atai24Second-row, Centre202340000 Warriors0111004—
13Jazmon Tupou-Witchman21Lock, Prop202271004 Rabbitohs030000—
14Kerehitina Matua26Second-row2022743022 Raiders20202008 4
15Porche John18Prop202510000 Tigers000000—
16Ngatokotoru Arakua28Prop202331004 Titans51530012 9
17Jodeci Joseph—Centre202330000 Papakura000000—
18Memory Paitai19Five-eighth, Second-row202511004 Bears000000—
12April Ngatupuna22Prop, Lock202251004 Magpies0111004—
20Hannah Makira19Wing, Centre202511004 Bulldogs000000—

Notes

Results

Full internationals

DateOpponentScoreTournamentVenueVideoReport(s)
28 Sep 2003 New Zealand
0–68
2003 World Cup North Harbour Stadium—[10][11]
30 Sep 2003 Tokelau
30–16
—[12]
6 Oct 2003 Great Britain
20–20
—[13]
8 Oct 2003Māori people Māori
0–46
—[10]
10 Oct 2003 Tokelau
18–12
—[10]
12 Oct 2003 Samoa
18–28
—[10]
16 Nov 2017 Australia
4–58
2017 World Cup Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney[14][15]
19 Nov 2017 New Zealand
0–76
[16][17]
22 Nov 2017 England
22–16
[18][19][20]
2 Nov 2022 Australia
0–74
2021 World Cup York Community Stadium, York[21][22][23]
6 Nov 2022 New Zealand
4–34
[24][25][26]
10 Nov 2022 France
26–18
[27][28][29]
22 Oct 2023 Papua New Guinea
20–28
2023 Pacific Championship Santos Stadium, Port Moresby[30][31]
26 Oct 2024 Fiji
6–18
2024 Pacific Championship HFC Bank Stadium, Suva[32][33][34]
18 Oct 2025 Papua New Guinea
34–6
2025 Pacific Championship Santos Stadium, Port Moresby[35][36]
25 Oct 2025 Tonga
42–24
[37][38]

Other matches

DateOpponentScoreTournamentVenueVideoReport(s)
27 Oct 2022England England Knights
26–14
Warm-Up Trial Match Weetwood, Leeds[39]—[40]

Nines

DateOpponentScoreTournamentVenueVideoReport(s)
23 Feb 2018 Tonga
4–12
2018 Commonwealth Championship Dolphin Stadium, Brisbane—[41]
23 Feb 2018 Canada
20–12
[42][43]
24 Feb 2018 Australia
8–14
—[44]
24 Feb 2018 Tonga
20–0
—
8 Jul 2019 Samoa
16–12
2019 Pacific Games Apia Park—[45]
8 Jul 2019 Solomon Islands
38–0
—
9 Jul 2019 Papua New Guinea
8–14
—
9 Jul 2019 Samoa
24–10
[46][47]
20 Nov 2023 Solomon Islands
36–0
2023 Pacific Games National Stadium, Honiara—[48]
20 Nov 2023 Vanuatu
28–6
—[48]
20 Nov 2023 Samoa
20–4
—[48]
21 Nov 2023 Fiji
18–10
—[49][50]
21 Nov 2023 Tonga
10–12
—[50]
22 Nov 2023 Tonga
16–8
—[51][52]

Records

Margins and streaks

Biggest winning margins

MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
2834–6 Papua New GuineaSantos National Football Stadium18 Oct 2025
1842–24 TongaSantos National Football Stadium25 Oct 2025
1430–16 TokelauNorth Harbour Stadium30 Sep 2003
826–18 FranceLNER Community Stadium10 Nov 2022

Biggest losing margins

MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
760–76 New ZealandSouthern Cross Group Stadium19 Nov 2017
740–74 AustraliaLNER Community Stadium2 Nov 2022
680–68 New ZealandNorth Harbour Stadium28 Sep 2003
544–58 AustraliaSouthern Cross Group Stadium16 Nov 2017
304–34 New ZealandLNER Community Stadium6 Nov 2022

Most consecutive wins

MatchesFirst winLast winDaysEndedDays
218 Oct 202525 Oct 20257 daysCurrent178 days

Most consecutive losses

MatchesFirst lossLast lossDaysEndedDays
312 Oct 200319 Nov 201714 years, 39 days22 Nov 201714 years, 42 days

Past squads

2017

Squad for the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup:[53][54]

  • 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:[5]

  • 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)

See also

References

External links

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