Cook Islands Dealt Double Blow as Niukore Hurt at Training, Holmes Left Out of Fiji Opener
Cook Islands suffered two major setbacks on the eve of the Rugby League World Cup, with Marata Niukore ruled out through a groin injury sustained at training and star back Valentine Holmes left out of Sunday's opener against Fiji as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.
Cook Islands' Rugby League World Cup campaign has taken a damaging hit before a ball has even been kicked. Forward Marata Niukore has been lost to a groin injury picked up at training, while former Australia star Valentine Holmes was not named in the side for Sunday's tournament opener against Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.
Niukore, a six-time New Zealand international who switched allegiance to the Aitu, was expected to be a cornerstone of Karmichael Hunt's pack. Holmes, who played 21 Tests for the Kangaroos and committed his Cook Islands heritage to the World Cup, is still recovering from a syndesmosis ankle injury suffered in St George Illawarra's final-round win over Parramatta. Fox Sports also reports pre-tournament absences for regulars Cassius Cowley and Caelys-Paul Putoko.
It is a cruel turn for a nation appearing in just its fourth World Cup and yet to progress beyond the pool stage. The Cook Islands open against a Fiji side captained by Apisai Koroisau that has made the semi-finals in three of the last four tournaments and beat the Kukis 44-24 in last year's Pacific Championships.
Sharks centre KL Iro will captain the Cook Islands, with the side built around young talent including Tigers rookie Glassie Glassie alongside veterans like Brad Takairangi. Hunt's men also face Australia and New Zealand in Pool A, where only the top two advance.