Cook Island Rugby League Team Connects with Culture Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
Queensland Origin star Val Holmes joined the Cook Islands team on a journey to Rarotonga to reconnect with their cultural heritage before Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa. The visit served as both a training camp and a cultural immersion experience.
Nrl Senior Reporter Brad Walter reported that Holmes is recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his NRL season with the Dragons.
Despite the setback, Holmes expressed his commitment to representing the Cook Islands if they secure the final place at the RLWC26 qualifiers, scheduled at CommBank Stadium. His mother, Lucy, was born in the Cook Islands, a connection that has deepened his enthusiasm to play for the Aitu.
Holmes trained with his future international teammates, supporting coaches Ben Hunt and Alex Glenn as they prepared the Aitu for their most crucial match in six years. The team aims to earn their World Cup berth in Australia and Papua New Guinea, joining powerhouse nations like the Kangaroos, Kiwis, England, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Lebanon, and France.
The Cook Islands squad will also gain strength from key players such as Warriors forward Marata Niukore and Rabbitohs prop Davvy Moale, both of whom missed the Pacific Championships in Port Moresby but reunited with the team ahead of the Rarotonga camp.
Author’s Summary
Val Holmes joined the Cook Islands team in a cultural and training retreat on Rarotonga as they prepared for their crucial World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
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