Cook Islands upbeat to meet Fiji in Pacific Bowl Championships Series Opener

The Pacific Bowl Championships kick off tomorrow (18th October 2025), with the Cook Islands Aitu ready to face off against the Fiji Bati in the opening match of the three-game series between PNG, the Cook Islands, and Fiji at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. 

The Pacific Championships started as a diplomatic experiment in 2023 but has transformed into a tournament that’s competitive and entertaining, which promotes commercial activities and cultural heritage, fueling rugby league’s growth in the greater Pacific region. 

In their past 14 encounters, the Cook Islands defeated Fiji five times, recording their last victory in the 2009 Pacific Cup. After that upset, the high-flying Fijians regrouped and dominated the Kukis in the following years to date, registering nine victories out of their 14 clashes. 

The Cook Islands may not have big-name NRL players compared to the Fijians, who boast a lot of NRL stars, led by captain Tui Kamikamica, Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Waqa Blake, and Michael Jennings, to name a few, but the Kukis have the heart to compete.

The Cronulla Sutherland Sharks’ electric center, Kayal Iro, who will be captaining the Cook Islands for the first time, shared what it means to lead his country alongside fellow NRL players and countrymen, like Brendan Piakura, Marata Niukore, Esan Marsters, and Brad Takairangi. 

“I’m happy to put the Cook Islands jersey on again. It means a lot to captain my country, especially for my family back home. I don’t think I’m much of a captain, but I told the boys that I would lead on the field through my actions,” Iro said. 

“They (Piakura, Niukore, Marsters, Takairangi) are going to be our leaders, especially for our middles and young back-rowers coming up. They are a massive inclusion to our squad who will lead our boys to the battle.”

Cook Islands’ coach and former Brisbane Broncos’ great, Carmichael Hunt, added: “It’s probably been our best camp. All our boys are super connected, so we can’t wait to go out there and play.”  

Despite going up against a very experienced Fijian side, coach Hunt and captain Iro have confidence in the players who were assembled by the coaching staff to put up a competitive game against the Bati tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the confident Fijians are anticipating continuing their winning streak against the Kukis and starting their campaign on a high note.