Our Australia vs Cook Islands prediction is in for Saturday 31 October, when Australia play Cook Islands at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville from 8:05pm AEDT. Here’s how we see it and the odds worth backing.
After a pair of unconvincing victories, the Kangaroos wrap up their pool campaign with a clash against Group A minnows Cook Islands.
FORM: The Kangaroos are 2-0 – but the bulk of the praise has gone to their vanquished opponents after each game. Australia was largely outmuscled in its victories over New Zealand (24-22) and Fiji (36-22) but overcame second-half deficits in both thanks to their poise and individual brilliance.
Cook Islands fought back gamely against Fiji – going down 40-12 after trailing 28-0 at halftime – while an early surge that saw the Kukis lead the Kiwis 16-12 was comprehensively quelled in an 82-16 defeat.
INS AND OUTS: Reece Walsh returns for James Tedesco as the Australian fullback debate continues, while Tom Dearden will partner Cam Munster in the halves. Pat Carrigan, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo are all back in the starting pack. Ethan Strange will debut in No.14.
Hat-trick hero Esom Ioka is out injured, which sees Paul Ulberg come in on the wing in an otherwise unchanged Cook Islands side.
KEY MATCH-UP: Kotoni Staggs’ place in the Australian line-up has come under intense scrutiny – and he’ll get another stiff test this weekend in the shape of Cook Islands captain KL Iro.
HISTORY: First meeting.
KEY STAT: Australia has won one match by more than 72 points since the 2000 World Cup, an 84-0 rout of Scotland at the 2022 tournament. The line here is 72.5.
VERDICT: After a couple of torrid outings, this is a chance for the Kangaroos to blow out the cobwebs against a team that won’t be able to provide anything close to the physical intensity the Kiwis or Fiji did.
Aside from a 10-minute blip, the Kiwis ran tries in against Cook Islands with overwhelming ease and the Aussies should have little trouble doing the same given the attacking class laced throughout their line-up. Will that be enough to cover a gigantic line, though?
Australia’s wingers have a hat-trick each in the tournament already and both will be hungry for tries on Saturday night.
Tip: Back Jack Bostock to Score a Hat-trick @ $2.35
SGM: COOK ISLANDS +72.5 / HARRY GRANT ANYTIME TRYSCORER / TOM DEARDEN ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ETHAN STRANGE ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $14.13
Australia vs Cook Islands Odds & Popular Betting Markets
Here’s a quick look at the current odds and popular betting markets for the Australia vs Cook Islands matchup.
*odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change
| Team | Odds | |
|---|---|---|
| Casey McLean (New Zealand) | 7.50 | Bet Now |
| Jamayne Isaako (New Zealand) | 6.80 | Bet Now |
| Ronaldo Mulitalo (New Zealand) | 6.25 | Bet Now |
| Keano Kini (New Zealand) | 10.00 | Bet Now |
| Dane Gagai (New Zealand) | 12.50 | Bet Now |
| Jahrome Hughes (New Zealand) | 15.00 | Bet Now |
| Te Maire Martin (New Zealand) | 15.00 | Bet Now |
| Briton Nikora (New Zealand) | 15.00 | Bet Now |
| Kodi Nikorima (New Zealand) | 17.00 | Bet Now |
| Isaiah Papali'i (New Zealand) | 17.00 | Bet Now |
| Xavier Willison (New Zealand) | 21.00 | Bet Now |
| Ronald Philitoga (Fiji) | 23.00 | Bet Now |
| Jeremy Marshall-King (New Zealand) | 23.00 | Bet Now |
| Semi Valemei (Fiji) | 23.00 | Bet Now |
| Solomone Saukuru (Fiji) | 26.00 | Bet Now |
| Joseph Litidamu (Fiji) | 26.00 | Bet Now |
| Sunia Turuva (Fiji) | 26.00 | Bet Now |
| Erin Clark (New Zealand) | 29.00 | Bet Now |
| Naufahu Whyte (New Zealand) | 31.00 | Bet Now |
| Waqa Blake (Fiji) | 31.00 | Bet Now |
Men's World Cup odds correct as of 28/10/2026 and subject to change. Event scheduled to start at 31/10/2026 2:30pm AEST.