Cook Islands women's national rugby league team

For the men's team, see Cook Islands national rugby league team.
Cook Islands
Team information
NicknameThe Moana
Governing bodyCook Islands Rugby League Association
RegionAsia-Pacific
Head coachRonald Griffiths
Home stadiumAvarua National Stadium
IRL ranking 9 (17 November 2025)[1]
Uniforms
First colours
Team results
First international
Cook Islands 0-68 New Zealand 
(North Harbour Stadium, Albany, New Zealand)
28 September 2003
Biggest win
Cook Islands 34-6 Papua New Guinea
(PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby)
18 October 2023
Biggest defeat
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.

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.[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

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 2025 2 1 0 1 50.00% 54 34 61.36%
 Fiji 2024 2024 1 0 0 1 0.00% 6 18 25.00%
 Tonga 2025 2025 1 1 0 0 100.00% 42 24 63.64%
Totals 2003 2025 16 6 1 9 40.63% 244 542 31.04%

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
1 Kiana Takairangi 33 Fullback, Centre 2017 8 1 0 0 4 Eels 2 15 9 0 0 36 2 1 3
2 Kiarah Siauane 20 Wing, Centre 2024 3 2 0 0 8 Magpies 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
3 Keira Rangi 18 Centre, Second-row 2025 1 0 0 0 0 Magpies 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
4 Deleni Paitai 18 Centre 2025 2 1 0 0 4 Bears 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
5 Paulina Morris-Ponga — Wing, Centre 2023 3 4 0 0 16 Lions 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
6 Lydia Turua-Quedley 26 Five-eighth, Halfback 2017 7 0 0 0 0 Warriors 0 11 0 0 0 0 —
7 Chantay Kiria-Ratu 21 Halfback, Five-eighth 2022 4 1 10 0 24 Sharks 13 24 3 13 1 39 —
8 Lavinia Kitai 21 Prop 2022 7 0 0 0 0 Warriors 0 11 0 0 0 0 —
9 Pearl Tuitama — Hooker 2025 2 0 0 0 0 Jets 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
10 Ashlee Matapo 19 Prop 2025 2 0 0 0 0 Warriors 0 8 0 0 0 0 —
11 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu — Second-row 2025 2 0 0 0 0 Sharks 9 9 1 0 0 4 —
19 Kaiyah Atai 24 Second-row, Centre 2023 4 0 0 0 0 Warriors 0 11 1 0 0 4 —
13 Jazmon Tupou-Witchman 21 Lock, Prop 2022 7 1 0 0 4 Rabbitohs 0 3 0 0 0 0 —
14 Kerehitina Matua 26 Second-row 2022 7 4 3 0 22 Raiders 20 20 2 0 0 8 4
15 Porche John 18 Prop 2025 1 0 0 0 0 Tigers 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
16 Ngatokotoru Arakua 28 Prop 2023 3 1 0 0 4 Titans 5 15 3 0 0 12 9
17 Jodeci Joseph — Centre 2023 3 0 0 0 0 Papakura 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
18 Memory Paitai 19 Five-eighth, Second-row 2025 1 1 0 0 4 Bears 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
12 April Ngatupuna 22 Prop, Lock 2022 5 1 0 0 4 Magpies 0 11 1 0 0 4 —
20 Hannah Makira 19 Wing, Centre 2025 1 1 0 0 4 Bulldogs 0 0 0 0 0 0 —

Notes

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
 — [12]
6 Oct 2003  Great Britain
20–20
 — [13]
8 Oct 2003 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

Date Opponent Score Tournament Venue Video Report(s)
27 Oct 2022 England Knights
26–14
 Warm-Up Trial Match Weetwood, Leeds[39] — [40]

Nines

Date Opponent Score Tournament Venue Video Report(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

Margin Score Opponent Venue Date
28 34–6  Papua New Guinea Santos National Football Stadium 18 Oct 2025
18 42–24  Tonga Santos National Football Stadium 25 Oct 2025
14 30–16  Tokelau North Harbour Stadium 30 Sep 2003
8 26–18  France LNER Community Stadium 10 Nov 2022

Biggest losing margins

Margin Score Opponent Venue Date
76 0–76  New Zealand Southern Cross Group Stadium 19 Nov 2017
74 0–74  Australia LNER Community Stadium 2 Nov 2022
68 0–68  New Zealand North Harbour Stadium 28 Sep 2003
54 4–58  Australia Southern Cross Group Stadium 16 Nov 2017
30 4–34  New Zealand LNER Community Stadium 6 Nov 2022

Most consecutive wins

Matches First win Last win Days Ended Days
2 18 Oct 2025 25 Oct 2025 7 days Current 69 days

Most consecutive losses

Matches First loss Last loss Days Ended Days
3 12 Oct 2003 19 Nov 2017 14 years, 39 days 22 Nov 2017 14 years, 42 days

Past squads

2017

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

See also: 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup squads § Cook Islands
  • 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]

See also: 2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup squads § Cook Islands
  • 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

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