Cook Islands loses to Papua New Guinea at Rugby League World Cup, but the game means more than the result

Cook Islands lost to PNG 32-16 at the Rugby League World Cup. The Cook Islands have a population of fewer than 20,000 people. They are the only Pacific nation to qualify both their women and their men at this world cup. They have attracted a lot of NRL players from the Pacific. Their head coach Tony Iro wants to attract more players with dual eligibility to play for the Cook Islanders. He has asked the IRF to change the eligibility rules. It is not easy to get a dual eligible player. Valentine Holmes chose Australia. Jordan Rapana chose New Zealand. Cook Islanders need to beat Tonga to stand a chance of progressing.