Not really sure what to expect from the Cook Islands tonight. I saw them play their warm up game against a NZ side missing some key players and they were poor. They could have played another 80 minutes and they still wouldn't have registered a point.
Still, I hope Keith has a good game. Ex-Bulls legend!

USA? France? New Zealand?

Inviting 'rich' countries like Russia in who will only get beaten by 100+ points in every game would be a big mistake and only do damage.

Having Italy in this tournament is a risk in my eyes, there's almost no grass routes there and doesn't help the credibility of our sport.

Does jean capdouze have some form of racial motive for such disgraceful views on Cook Islands ?

Italy are a perfect example of how to do it right.
Three or four years ago they didn't have a comp. They started a comp just because having a domestic comp was a requirement to enter the World Cup. They found a few bucks because they are a country that has money, and suddenly they have gone past countries like Serbia and Lebanon who have been playing the game for over a decade.

They've only gone past those countries by packing their international side with heritage players. There's no credibility in that and just damages the hopes of the countries like Lebanon and Serbia with genuine domestic interest.

think cook islands will have too much for USA tonight.. the cooks by 14+

Wow, I must have dreamt all the matches I've seen down at the Swamp in the Spring! There is a very vibrant and longstanding league run on Rarotonga, which has being going a lot longer than any league in places like the Lebanon, Russia etc.

At the end of the day, the Kukis qualified as per the existing rules. It is up to the RLIF to set the qualifications for the World Cup and the ramblings of some internet wannbee aren't going to change their minds!

BTW, the Cook Islands are a country in their own right. The islands are self-governing in "free association" with New Zealand. New Zealand retains primary responsibility for external affairs, with consultation with the Cook Islands government. Cook Islands nationals are citizens of New Zealand and can receive New Zealand government services, but the reverse is not true; New Zealand citizens are not Cook Islands nationals. Despite this, as of 2011, the Cook Islands had diplomatic relations in its own name with 34 other countries. The Cook Islands is not a United Nations member state, but, along with Niue, has had their "full treaty-making capacity" recognised by United Nations Secretariat and is a full member of the WHO and UNESCO UN specialized agencies and is an associate member of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

Jean I'm sure asda sell burn cream for that

Brilliant!

I bet Capdouze is scouring Google and Wikipedia now trying to prove you wrong.

Quote: GT "Don't be so bloody stupid.'" Dont sit on the fence like that GT Their RU side has a great chance of qualifying for the 2015 Union World Cup www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying ... 68460.html

Quote: GT "Don't be so bloody stupid.'" Dont sit on the fence like that GT Their RU side has a great chance of qualifying for the 2015 Union World Cup www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying ... 68460.html

BBC Points West has just aired an excellent preview to tonight's game, including an interview with Tomahawks Clint Newton.

Good luck Cookies - as an Anglo-Canadian, would love to see the Yanks taken to the cleaners!

I want USA to win. Their players are paying to be here out of their own pocket.

Was he stood up for it or had he fallen over?

Cousin of the great Byron Ford , didn't hear much of Byron after his ban, was great to see him tearing down the wing in his pomp!