The Aitu versus Kiwis clash kicks off at 7:05pm tonight. CIRL/26102334
The odds are massively stacked against the Cook Islands Aitu when they take on giants the New Zealand Kiwis in their second Rugby League World Cup clash tonight in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The Aitu went down to the Fiji Bati 12–40, while the Kiwis lost to the Australian Kangaroos 22–24 in their opening group matches last week.
The Cook Islands and New Zealand last met in 1999, when the Kiwis thumped the Aitu 84–10.
Cook Islands head coach Karmichael Hunt is aware of the challenge and is taking a realistic approach ahead of the Kiwis clash.
“That Aussie-Kiwi game that opened the tournament was a cracker – probably one of the best games of footy I’ve seen in a long time,” Hunt said after the Fiji match.
“I think everyone saw the passion for their culture but also saw the stars of the game just stand up and take the bull by the horns, so to speak.”
Hunt kept expectations low in the Cook Islands’ build-up to the Fiji game and said he would take a similar approach leading into their next two clashes against the Kiwis and the Kangaroos in the final group match.
“We knew coming into the tournament who we were going to be facing – the two biggest teams in the world, the Aussies and the Kiwis,” Hunt said.
“We weren’t coming into this camp expecting or even talking about winning.
“Winning hasn’t been spoken about once all week. What has been spoken about is trying to inspire our people. You can do that when you’re losing, and you can do that when you win.”
The Aitu versus Kiwis clash kicks off at 7:05pm.
Teams
Cook Islands: Valentine Holmes, Paul Ulberg, KL Iro (C), Reubenn Rennie, Cameron Brown, Maui Winitana-Patelesio, Esan Marsters, Davvy Moale, Ruatapu Ngatikaura, Rhys Dakin, Amare Milford, Delahia Wigmore, Mason Teague. Interchange/Reserves: K-Ci Newton-Whare, David Tuariki, Makahesi Makatoa, Brad Takairangi, Chaev Kolone, Glassie Glassie, Brody Tamarua, Esom Ioka, Pride Petterson-Robati, Reuben Porter. Head Coach: Karmichael Hunt.
New Zealand Kiwis: Keano Kini, Jamayne Isaako, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes, James Fisher-Harris (c), Jeremy Marshall-King, Joseph Tapine, Xavier Willison, Scott Sorensen, Erin Clark. Interchange & Reserves: Te Maire Martin, Leo Thompson, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Jacob Laban, Isaiah Papali'i, Briton Nikora, Dane Gagai, Naufahu Whyte, Moses Leota. Head Coach: Stacey Jones.