Kick-off for New Zealand vs Cook Islands is 6:05pm NZDT on Sunday 25 October at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch. Below is our Rugby League World Cup Round 2 prediction and the bets we like at Betcha.
Not even the best 80 minutes of rugby league in memory could console our Kiwi friends after last week’s thriller. While New Zealand no doubt are already thinking about a rematch, they’ve got a World Cup campaign to get through first and that starts with a response v Cook Islands.
Naufahu Whyte and Moses Leota earn a rest but their absence is hardly noticed on the teamlists with James Fisher-Harris, Jo Tapine and Erin Clark making up a world-class middle third.
This could get ugly for the Cook Islands once fatigue sets in. No doubt the Kiwis cash in out wide but they profile just as well around the ruck playing off Jeremy Marshall-King and Clark in good-ball.
Tips
Best: New Zealand (-52.5) @ $1.90
Anytime Try Scorers: Xavier Willison Anytime Try @ $2.05 & Erin Clark Anytime Try @ $3.00
Same Game Multi: New Zealand (-54.5) + Xavier Willison Anytime Try + Erin Clark Anytime Try @ $8.45
New Zealand vs Cook Islands Odds & Popular Betting Markets
Here’s a quick look at the current odds and popular betting markets for the New Zealand vs Cook Islands matchup.
*odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change
| Team | Odds | |
|---|---|---|
| Casey McLean (New Zealand) | 6.50 | Bet Now |
| Jamayne Isaako (New Zealand) | 6.00 | Bet Now |
| Ronaldo Mulitalo (New Zealand) | 5.50 | Bet Now |
| Keano Kini (New Zealand) | 8.75 | Bet Now |
| Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (New Zealand) | 8.25 | Bet Now |
| Jahrome Hughes (New Zealand) | 12.00 | Bet Now |
| Te Maire Martin (New Zealand) | 12.00 | Bet Now |
| Xavier Willison (New Zealand) | 14.00 | Bet Now |
| Kodi Nikorima (New Zealand) | 14.00 | Bet Now |
| Jacob Laban (New Zealand) | 19.00 | Bet Now |
| Scott Sorensen (New Zealand) | 21.00 | Bet Now |
| Jeremy Marshall-King (New Zealand) | 21.00 | Bet Now |
| Erin Clark (New Zealand) | 23.00 | Bet Now |
| Joseph Tapine (New Zealand) | 29.00 | Bet Now |
| Leo Thompson (New Zealand) | 34.00 | Bet Now |
| Tanner Stowers-Smith (New Zealand) | 34.00 | Bet Now |
| James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand) | 34.00 | Bet Now |
| Paul Ulberg (Cook Islands) | 41.00 | Bet Now |
| Cameron Brown (Cook Islands) | 41.00 | Bet Now |
| Valentine Holmes (Cook Islands) | 51.00 | Bet Now |
Men's World Cup odds correct as of 21/10/2026 and subject to change. Event scheduled to start at 25/10/2026 6:05pm NZDT.