Pool Matches - Week 3: Tonga v Cook Islands preview
Tonga searching to find form as they meet a desperate Cook Islands side
Rugby League World Cup action heads to Middlesbrough on Sunday afternoon BST, with group D leaders and world number two's Tonga up against the Cook Islands. Tonga's spot in the quarter-finals has been all but confirmed, however they will want to improve on their somewhat shaky showings in their opening two matches, and carry some confidence with them into the knockout rounds.
After beating South Africa and the USA to steal the 16th and final spot at the world cup, the Cook Islands were always going to be up against it. Drawn into group D along with Pacific powerhouses Tonga and PNG, the Kukis need to pull off an upset to progress. After going down to Papua New Guinea convincingly last week, nothing but an unlikely big win against Tonga will keep their world cup hopes alive.
The 16 point loss to the Kumuls in Warrington must be heartbreaking for the team. After hanging on for dear life to secure the victory against Wales, the Cook Islands were just 80 minutes away from securing the second spot in their group and a likely quarter-final clash with hosts England. Now they have to re-group - if they can't find it within themselves to lift a few gears from their first two matches, they could find themselves on the wrong end of an ugly scoreboard.
Following the loss to the Kumuls, Cook Islands star Anthony Gelling was confirmed to be leaving England early for personal reasons, and that he was retiring from international rugby league. Gelling scored a try in each of the Kukis two games this tournament, and he provided plenty of experience in the centres. His presence on the field and around camp will be missed by the Cook Islands, and it remains to be seen how coach Tony Iro will plug the gap in the backline.
A win for Tonga will see them finish comfortably at the top of group D, and book them a quarter-final game against either Samoa or France. Their win against Wales last week was expected, but they found themselves trailing only minutes before half-time. Wales had turned the game into an arm wrestle, and Tonga had been dragged down to their level. Luckily for their world cup hopes, they got their act together, but they can't afford to give the Cook Islands any look in this Sunday.
Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo is poised to return for the Tongan side after missing his nation's opening two games through suspension. After copping a dangerous contact charge in his club side's preliminary final loss, the Tonga mainstay is a welcome return, and he'll be hoping to make a big impact early on. A powerhouse through the middle, the Cook Islands' forwards will have their hands full trying to contain him.
For Tonga to win, they need to be patient with the ball and consistent in defence. They can't afford to make errors coming out of their own half, as this will only give their opponents confidence. The Cook Islands can't waste any opportunities if they want to cause an upset and keep their world cup campaign alive.
Last meeting: 2015 Post-Season International - Tonga 28 Cook Islands 8
Who to watch: Cook Islands fullback Kayal Iro has shown plenty of positive signs so far this tournament. The 22 year old Shark made his NRL debut this year, and the experience he will gain from this world cup will certainly benefit his growing club career in Australia. Kayal Iro grew up on the island of Rarotonga, and has represented the Cook Islands on a handful of occasions prior to the world cup. If Cook Islands are to win, Iro will need to play out of his skin.
Playing the full 80 minutes at hooker for Tonga last week against Wales, Soni Luke will be hoping to keep the starting number nine position for this weekend's game. The 26 year old Panther will take on a bigger role in the Penrith NRL side from next year, with Api Koroisau leaving the club. With both the Tonga and Panthers hooker role up for grabs, Luke has plenty of motivation to play his best footy in this game against the Kukis.
The favourite: Tonga have been far from clinical in their first two matches, but they're favoured to get the job done against the Cook Islands.
My tip: Following their loss to PNG, the Cook Islands spirit might be broken. Tonga should overpower them through the middle, and outclass them on the edges. Tonga by 28.
